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Silver Anniversary of a Marriage Made for TV

The New Indian Express Kochi

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June 22, 2025

AMEER Nair, the programme head of Star TV back in 2000, recalls Amitabh Bachchan being his first and only choice to be the host of the Hindi version of the popular game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

- NAMRATA JOSHI

AMEER Nair, the programme head of Star TV back in 2000, recalls Amitabh Bachchan being his first and only choice to be the host of the Hindi version of the popular game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The franchise was being launched in India as Kaun Banega Lakhpati—till Star TV's owner at the time, Rupert Murdoch, decided to add two zeroes to the figure in a matter of "seven seconds", as Nair puts it.

Most thought it was a bad idea for a larger-than-life superstar of the big screen to constrict himself to the idiot box. That it might make him lose his aura. But 25 years later, on the show's last episode of the 16th season telecast on March 11, the 82-year-old exuberantly arrived at the sets to open the proceedings of "Gyaan ka rajat mahotsav" (silver anniversary of knowledge). His appeal is, evidently, far from diminished after all these.

"Amit ji brought gravitas to the show... The deep baritone, magnetic eyes, dramatic pauses and booming laugh—all added to the magical entertainment," sums up Nair. Add to it Bachchan's impeccable enunciation and literary disposition and you have an idol for the aspirational Indian middle class.

PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE The New Indian Express Kochi

The New Indian Express Kochi

PM takes a dig at Oppn, says House is not for 'drama' ...

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, declaring that Parliament must function as a space for \"delivery, not drama\", and warning parties against turning the Winter Session into a stage for political theatrics. Speaking to the media outside Parliament ahead of the session, Modi said he was concerned that some Opposition parties continued to treat the House as a \"warm-up arena\" for elections or as a place to vent their \"desperation\" after electoral defeats.

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The New Indian Express Kochi

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THE rupee slumped to a new low of 89.79 against dollar on Monday, fuelled by sluggish trade due to uncertainty over India-US trade deal and continuous outflow of FIIs.

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1 min

December 02, 2025

The New Indian Express Kochi

Rijiju sees red as Kharge mentions ex-VP resignation

REMARKS by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Monday about the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar sparked a sharp response from the treasury benches.

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The New Indian Express Kochi

Sabarimala revenue soars 33% to ₹92 crore in first 15 days

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The New Indian Express Kochi

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'My favourite TV show is actually a video game'

WHEN Robert Robertson the IIIrd loses the \"spark\" that made him Mechaman, he becomes an emergency dispatcher for superheroes at a Los Angelesbased superhero company. I immediately felt sympathetic to his very sad story, and was rooting for him to be good at his new job.

time to read

3 mins

December 02, 2025

The New Indian Express Kochi

Delaney miracle on and off the field for New Zealand

WHEN the final hooter roared after New Zealand's comeback 3-2 victory against Japan at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Monday, former national junior player and current head coach Mike Delaney slammed the side glass of the bench in excitement. For the first time in 12 years, the Junior Black Sticks are a step away from the quarterfinals as group leaders.

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2 mins

December 02, 2025

The New Indian Express Kochi

Not just stress, peer pressure can lead to emotional eating

If food makes you feel energetic and happy, it's good. If it makes you lethargic or uncomfortable, it's not, says Dr Smitha Singh, clinical dietitian at Lucknow Wellness Clinic, in an interview with Anna Jose. Edited excerpts:

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2 mins

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The New Indian Express Kochi

Omar on backfoot over OBC reservation review report

THE Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir faces growing political and community pressure ahead of the submission of the Cabinet Sub-Committee's reservation review report, with OBC groups demanding a steep quota hike and Kashmiri leaders warning against any dilution of the Residents of Backward Areas (RBA) category.

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2 mins

December 02, 2025

The New Indian Express Kochi

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Solar fencing to stop wild elephants from entering villages in J’khand

IN a pioneering initiative in Jharkhand, solar fencing is being installed around the villages to prevent man-animal conflict in Chandil area of Saraikela-Kharsawan district. Under this project, 12-volt wire is laid outside the villages, powered with solar power, to keep wild elephants away.

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1 mins

December 02, 2025

The New Indian Express Kochi

Law panel not in favour of statutory backing of model code of conduct

THE Law Commission is of the opinion that bringing in law to implement the model code of conduct (MCC) will hamper its enforcement during polls and \"might\" result in whittling down the powers of the Election Commission, which will not be conducive to holding, time-bound and fair elections.

time to read

1 min

December 02, 2025

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