Kaun Banega Rashtrapati?

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsKaun Banega Rashtrapati?

Hurray! KBC is back. Oh Sorry; not ‘KBC’ but ‘KBR’ this time - with a new version, new format, new sets, new anchor, new participants, new computerji and new excitement & drama too. With completion of Mr. Kalam’s term in the President’s office, India is set to elect its new ‘first citizen’ and with many in the race to grab the ‘hot seat’ - entire nation is joyfully watching – Kaun Banega Rashtrapati!

The rules of the game are slightly different from the original version. (Changes are important to keep the excitement on and attract the eyeballs!) . The ‘KBR Lines’ are not open for everyone. Only few people with strong political/social CV, understanding of political complexities and “impeccable secular credentials” are eligible to participate. (And of-course there is no ‘Har Seat Hot Seat’ contest also this time). Unlike earlier versions, the show is available on all possible media modes and in diverse languages. ‘Maya Support’ & ‘Proper Left Alignment’ were subtly talked as the available ‘Lifelines’.

As per the show ‘promos’, many were said to be in race including incumbent Dr. Kalam. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Dr. Karan Singh, Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, Mr. Narayanmurthy, Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Mr. Shivraj Patil and even ‘Big B’ (a sweet hint of celebrity participation) were among the most talked contestants. Mr. Murthy’s participation was used as the most successful trailer.

The show has been going on pretty well with great excitement, celebrations, suspense & drama built at many stages. Many lost in the ‘fastest finger first’. (Though a score of news channels and websites also conducted ‘Audience Poll’ – but sadly it was of very little help to any contestant this time). Mr. Mukherjee & Mr. Shekhawat were running ahead of everyone and - as a first fine twist Pranab Dada was pulled out by his own party -‘swapping’ with Mr. Shivraj Patil thus leaving ‘fifty-fifty’ for Mr. Patil & Mr. Shekhawat. But with ‘Maya Support’ coming Mr. Patil’s way – the suspense was largely unfolded - leaving Mr. Patil as the favorite contender (and many, even, congratulated him for the possible victory!).

Although, since beginning, ‘Maya Support’ was considered as the most crucial lifeline putting Mr. Patil on the strongest foothold - but, surprisingly & reportedly, his ‘Left Alignment’ was not proper. And, here comes the biggest moment of suspense & drama in the show. Sonia (from somewhere) found ‘Pratibha’ and the entire show took reverse turns with shocks and surprises to everyone.
Though, now, Ms. Pratibha Patil is considered as the final & strongest contender for the post and almost seen as the first ‘Woman President’ of the country - but one never knows if there are more moments of suspense & surprises still left to come on the surface (With Ms. Patil already embroiled in a ‘Purdah’ controversy and Dr. Kalam still sitting on the edge of the ring).

The show is on & set to end in around mid July – when there will be a final poll and ‘computerji’ will have its job to quickly count the votes and ‘lock’ the correct answer for KAUN BANEGA RASHTRAPATI?

(Yogesh Kumar is a chartered accountant based in Delhi. The views expressed here are his own.) first published:June 20, 2007, 11:04 ISTlast updated:June 20, 2007, 11:04 IST
window._taboola = window._taboola || [];_taboola.push({mode: 'thumbnails-mid-article',container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails',placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails',target_type: 'mix'});
let eventFire = false;
window.addEventListener('scroll', () => {
if (window.taboolaInt && !eventFire) {
setTimeout(() => {
ga('send', 'event', 'Mid Article Thumbnails', 'PV');
ga('set', 'dimension22', "Taboola Yes");
}, 4000);
eventFire = true;
}
});
 
window._taboola = window._taboola || [];_taboola.push({mode: 'thumbnails-a', container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' });Latest News