Big B's classic songs enliven 'KBC 2013' opener

Singer Sonu Niigam's lively rendition of some of megastar Amitabh Bachchan's choicest chart busters - "Saara zamaana haseeno ka deewana" and "Dilbar mere", added entertainment value to the opening episode of reality game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati", which returned to the small screen in a bigger and better avatar Friday night.

The show is in its seventh edition, and it is called "Kaun Banega Crorepati 2013". Like all seasons, the buzz for the opener was well-built by Sony Entertainment Channel via hoardings and innovative promotional teasers.

Sonu opened the show with some hit numbers, and Amitabh entered the set when the singer crooned "Intehaan ho gai intezar ki". The duo later performed together on peppy tracks like "Mach gaya shor saari nagri mein" and "Yamma Yamma", much to the delight of several viewers who had been awaiting the show since long.

Amitabh then took the show forward, saying he will take viewers on the "Kaun Banega Crorepati" journey for 13 weeks. He also introduced the audience to the alterations in the show's format and details of the revised jackpot prize money of Rs.7 crore.

The first 10 contestants on the new season saw an equal number of men and women. Big B then informed them that getting a chance to sit on the 'hot seat' has become more challenging as 'Fastest finger first' round has been modified.

It will now be called 'Best out of three', wherein three questions will be asked and the average of the total time taken will decide who will come face-to-face with the 70-year-old quiz master.

Preeti Panwar from Haryana was the first contender to occupy the hot seat, and she quit the show, taking home Rs.25 lakh only.

Amitabh took her and the viewers through the new format, which gives contestants five lifelines - 'audience poll' and 'phone a friend' will continue as lifelines, 'flip the question' has returned in place of 'ask the expert', and '50:50' has replaced 'double dip'. The latest addition is 'power paplu', which can help to revive any used lifeline.

Also, the duration for the 'Phone a friend' call is now 45 seconds.

After Panwar, another woman, Sushma Mishra made it to the hot seat. Just when she won Rs.80,000, the hooter rang. Sushma's game will continue on the KBC 2013 episode on Saturday.

Another key change on the show was its set - the earlier circular set has now become rectangular, and it is backed by interesting LED lighting.

The episode did not end without a bang - Sonu made an entry yet again, and performed songs like "Yeh dosti" and "Jumma chumma", bringing Big B to shake a leg or two.

The show is based on the international show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire".