'Kaun Banega Crorepati 4' to have Rs5-crore prize money

Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) game show, which begins its fourth season from the megastar's birthday on October 11, has increased the prize money to Rs5 crore.

This was announced today at a press conference here by Bachchan and Sidhharth Basu of Big Synergy, the producer of the popular quiz show to be aired on Sony TV.

"Even though the basic format remain unchanged, the show will be faster and crispier this time. There will be 12 questions for Rs1 crore and the last one would be the jackpot of Rs5 crore," Bachchan said.

A new life line 'ask an expert' will be introduced this time besides the earlier ones -- audience poll and phone a friend, Bachchan said.

The '50:50' helpline has been dropped. Instead, after the seventh question there will be 'double dip' in which the contestant can give two tries for the answer, the actor said.

The ten contestants participating in fastest finger first would get chance for four days to try their luck this time, Basu said.

Several celebrities would appear on the show. Instead of a single participant, a team would play this time around, Basu said, adding the prize money would go to charity.

Also, under a new concept of 'Ghadiyal babu', the participants would have to answer the first two questions in 30 seconds and the next five in 45 seconds. After the seventh question, there will be no time limit, he said.