Family was not in favour of venturing into TV: Big B

Bachchan made his debut on Indian television as the host of the hit game show which was first aired in 2000.

“When I started with the show in the year 2000, lot of people told me that I am a film actor and that I should not venture into television. And that by coming on 25-inch screen from a 70 mm screen I am reducing my stature... which is wrong. Even my family members told me that I am making the biggest mistake of my life,” said Bachchan.

“But when Star News approached me, I liked the show and its concept. I told them if it was possible for them to see the show being enacted and they took me to London. I saw the show there and I liked it,” he said.

“I found that besides honing your general knowledge skills the show also provides a platform... (an) opportunity to people from various strata and parts of society to participate in the show and win money,” he said.

When asked to recall the moment when he himself became a millionaire in real life, Big B said, “I don`t remember the time when I became a `crorepati`. I have never paid that much attention to it I was more focused on my work that is acting. But I guess officials from the income tax department might know about it.”

The game show soon became a rage with Bachchan hosting the first two seasons of it.

Though Shahrukh Khan was roped in briefly for the third season, Bachchan returned to anchor the fourth season of the show aired on Sony Entertainment Television. KBC is an Indian reality game show based on the UK game show `Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?`

“I don`t attribute the rising TRP of the show to myself. It is because of the format of the game. The game itself is so strong, designed beautifully. This game is running in more than 80 countries and is doing extremely well and is successful in all these countries,” the 68-year-old actor said.

The fifth season of the show will be aired on Sony Entertainment Channel from August 15 every Monday to Thursday.