Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bollywood stars hotting up the small screen

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Priyanka Chopra

Bollywood stars are rocking the small screen.

Television channels, in their quest to grab eyeballs and TRPs, are shelling out big bucks to attract the big stars. And it seems to be working, with Bollywood stars realising that there is a lot of money to be made from television.

Here's a look at some of Bollywood's celebs coming home to you:

Priyanka Chopra on Fear Factor -- Khatron Ke Khiladi 3

After creating waves on the big screen, the actress is all set to host the third season of Fear Factor -- Khatron Ke Khiladi. She replaces Akshay Kumar, who hosted the first two seasons of the show.

Priyanka's enthusiasm towards athleticism and her action movies like Don convinced the makers that she is the best option for Fear Factor.

What we can expect from Priyanka are some death defying stunts. Some of the promos see her riding a bike and being chased by male bikers.

Download sizzling Priyanka images

Amitabh Bachchan, Kaun Banega Crorepati 4

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Amitabh Bachchan

The revival of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati will see Bachchan return as the host. He hosted the first and second seasons while Shah Rukh Khan anchored the third.

The fourth season will have a few changes in the format, and will flag off on October 11, the Big B's birthday. Some of the changes include the famous KBC logo which got a makeover, thanks to Bachchan.

So how does he feel about returning to the show? "Kaun Banega Crorepati is a good television habit," Amitabh says. "It brings the whole family together and the knowledge is shared in an interesting and entertaining way. It's is a great honour and a pleasure to be associated with the show again."

The mock rehearsals have already started.

Download cool Big B images

Salman Khan, Bigg Boss 4

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Salman Khan

Salman Khan will take over from Amitabh Bachchan, who hosted the previous season of Bigg Boss.

Interestingly, both KBC and Bigg Boss are expected to start at around the same time. The competition seems quite stiff, and a battle for TRPs seems inevitable.

Download Salman Khan wallpapers 

Akshay Kumar, Master Chef India

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Akshay Kumar

Giving action a break, the actor is nevertheless returning to the small screen as a judge on the cooking reality show Master Chef India.

Akshay, who started his career as a chef in Bangkok before entering films, will team up with two other judges in the search for the best cook of the country.

The show is tentatively scheduled to go on air in September.

Auditions have already begun with the final 14 selected for the Mumbai round.

Download Akshay Kumar images

Madhavan, Big Money

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Madhavan

After hosting game shows such as Tol Mol Ke Bol and Deal Ya No Deal, R Madhavan is enjoying his stint as the host of Imagine TV's new game show Big Money.

It is a show which tests the competitors' knowledge about TV shows and advertisements.

Asked what prompted him to do a television after the huge success of his movie, 3 Idiots, the actor replied, "I loved the idea of the whole family coming together and making an attempt to win the prize. Reality shows like Big Money are an excellent opportunity to reach out to my fans and connect with them."  

Farah Khan, Anu Malik, Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega 3

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Anu Malik and Farah Khan

Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega is a talent hunt show on Sony Entertainment Telelvision. This is the show's third season.

Choreographer/director Farah Khan and music director Anu Malik will return as the judges. This show is expected to replace Indian idol 5.

Sonali Bendre, India's Got Talent -- Khoj 2

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Sonali Bendre

The pretty actress has been a regular fixture on the small screen right from her Indian Idol days.

Presently, she's back for the second season of India's Got Talent -- Khoj 2. The channel has retained her and jury member Kirron Kher. The other jury member, Shekhar Kapoor has been replaced by Sajid Khan.

Jackie Shroff, India's Magic Star

Last updated on: August 5, 2010 19:07 IST
Jackie Shroff

Jackie Shroff has made a comeback on the small screen with Star One's show India's Magic Star. The actor will judge the show along with magicians Franz Harary, Rajath and Vasanth.

Jackie had earlier hosted a filmi show called Lehrein. Later, he anchored few episodes of Chitrahaar and a show called Missing on Sony.