Anchor Amitabh Bachchan’s ill health and consequent hospitalisation — he underwent surgery for diverticulitis of the small intestine on November 30 — has made the Star network rework its Kaun Banega Crorepati 2 (KBC2) schedule.

Now, KBC2 is being made a bi-weekly, instead of the current thrice-a-week format; from December 4, there will be no KBC2 on Sundays.

The quiz show will only air on Fridays and Saturdays. Ramanand Sagar’s Sai Baba will air on Sundays (during the KBC hour), preceded by the Sunday Hindi film.

KBC shoot schedule

Bachchan was slated to shoot for KBC2 from November 30 — the day he was rushed to the city’s Lilavati Hospital from New Delhi, after he complained of acute stomach ache. His shoot schedule for the show was supposed to last till December 6.

Says Sameer Nair, COO, Star India, “Our foremost concern is Mr Bachchan’s health. We wish him a speedy recovery; we would not like to discuss business matters at this stage.�

Stretched till January

In the current format, with a number of episodes banked, there is enough to last the channel till December 23. By making it a bi-weekly, Star has managed to stretch the quiz show till January 7.

This decision was taken in order to provide viewers with maximum fresh episodes, and keep KBC2 running into 2006. Taking Bachchan’s health into consideration, the channel will decide on the future course of action. The last episode of the show’s second season was scheduled to be aired on March 11.

Special episodes

Star Plus has also lined up two special episodes of the programme, as part of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Best of KBC will air on December 24 and 31, and will include special moments with participants as well as star celebrities, like Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Kajol and Ajay Devgan — all of who have been part of the show’s episodes this season.

source : mid-day