"The most special part about the show is watching people grow."
Over the years, Bollywood celebrities have proven their mettle in television.
They are undoubtedly amazing on the big screen but they are just as talented on the small.
Whether it’s game shows or talk shows, Bollywood giants glisten and gleam with unmatched charisma.
The audience laughs, cries, and is thoroughly entertained by them.
As a result, these shows become appointment television that cannot be missed.
DESIblitz takes you on an exciting journey through 10 great television shows that are presented by Bollywood celebrities.
Kaun Banega Crorepati
Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is the Indian take on ITV’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Amitabh Bachchan leads the show hosting many contestants, overseeing their journey to big money.
The legendary actor asks them a volley of questions through a computer.
Four choices of answers lie before the contestants and they have several lifelines to help them.
KBC started in July 2000 and is often credited with saving Amitabh’s finances following the collapse of his company, ABCL.
Amitabh has presented the show since its inception, apart from the third season when Shah Rukh Khan temporarily replaced him due to illness.
During the first episode of the 16th season in 2024, Amitabh expressed gratitude to the audience:
“I can’t come up with the words to thank you for your prayers which gave a new life to Kaun Banega Crorepati, illuminated this stage again, reunited a family, and allowed me to be present among you.
“I salute this country’s people for the resurrection, rebuilding, and rebirth of KBC.”
Koffee With Karan
Karan Johar’s talk show Koffee With Karan unashamedly brings Bollywood drama to the small screen.
Kicking off in 2004, the show depicts Karan inviting Bollywood celebrities to his famous couch.
Karan and his guests talk about a range of topics including careers, personal lives, and controversies.
In 2022, the show switched from airing on the television screen to streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Although viewers love the drama on the show, Koffee With Karan has often generated headlines for its controversial content.
An example of this is the case of Sushant Singh Rajput. The actor was allegedly criticised on Koffee With Karan.
When Sushant tragically took his life in 2020, Karan and his show faced a barrage of hatred.
However, that hasn’t stopped Karan from returning with his steaming cups of gossip.
In 2024, the show wrapped its eighth season.
Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain
Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai is the Indian version of America’s Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader.
Shah Rukh Khan helms the show which initially ran in 2008.
The contestants choose a student from SRK’s ‘class’ of children who help them in answering the questions.
Players must choose a topic from a class to answer a question. The aim is to get to Rs 5 crores (£4 million).
Although Shah Rukh primarily hosts ordinary civilians on the show, he has had Bollywood celebrities in the game.
Examples include Karan Johar, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Saif Ali Khan.
SRK is charming, energetic, and compassionate which infuses the show with charisma and relatability.
Dus Ka Dum
Salman Khan is the epitome of style and enigma in the realm of Bollywood.
His show Dus Ka Dum premiered in 2008 and featured Salman as the host.
In the game, players must cross two rounds and win a potential total of Rs 10 crores (£9 million).
Each question is based on surveys of Indian people. The show is suspenseful, fun, and gripping.
Among the celebrity guests, Aamir Khan appeared on the show in 2008.
Although he dialled in an answer of 57% for the last question, he did not gamble for the final prize of Rs 10 crores.
However, it was later revealed that the correct answer was indeed 57%.
In 2021, the show returned for a second season but only featured Bollywood celebrities.
Salman proved his worth in Dus Ka Dum but that was only the beginning.
Bigg Boss
Based on Big Brother, this reality show has drama and entertainment at its core.
Bigg Boss premiered in 2006 and was originally presented by Arshad Warsi.
Future hosts included Shilpa Shetty, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjay Dutt.
After jointly presenting the show with Sanjay, Salman Khan hosted the show alone from Season Six.
Salman firmly put his mark on the show, sometimes even clashing with contestants.
After the fifth season, the prize for winning the show was Rs. 50 lakhs (£45,424).
Delving into his role as the Bigg Boss host, Salman says: “My journey with Bigg Boss has been nothing but a roller coaster ride.
“It’s been a responsibility to be the voice of reason while connecting with millions of Indians all over the world.
“The most special part about the show is watching people grow and evolve.”
Satyamev Jayate
In 2010, Star Plus CEO Uday Shankar expressed a desire for Aamir Khan to enter television.
However, Aamir was not interested in anchoring a game show and preferred presenting content that would benefit society.
Thus, the superstar created Satyamev Jayate. The first season premiered on Star Plus in 2012.
Satyamev Jayate tackles issues affecting Indian society. These include dowry, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse.
In March 2014, the show returned for a second season and in October 2014, a third season aired.
The show made an indelible mark on the hearts of the audience. It raised awareness of several issues.
Satyamev Jayate also paved the way for Aamir Khan’s non-profit organisation, Paani Foundation.
The organisation works towards creating a drought-free Maharashtra.
The change and awareness brought by Satyamev Jayate deserve applause and salutation.
Just Dance
Among Bollywood celebrities who possess dancing skills, Hrithik Roshan reigns supreme.
Hrithik is arguably known for his extraordinary dancing just as much as his tremendous acting.
It was therefore extremely fitting that Hrithik’s first foray into television was centred around dance.
Along with ace choreographers Farah Khan and Vaibhavi Merchant, Hrithik judged a show titled Just Dance.
The series was a dance competition which hunted for talented dancers.
Decorated with fun, rhythm, and charm, Just Dance was a hit with the audience.
At the end of every show, Hrithik gifted a sum of Rs 3 lakhs (£2,726) to each eliminated contestant out of his account.
This was so that they could make their dance ambitions a reality.
The Anupam Kher Show
Anupam Kher is an actor who has appeared in over 500 Indian films.
Through his extensive career, he has garnered the respect of the entire industry.
It came as no surprise when people just could not refuse whenever he invited them on his show.
The Anupam Kher Show followed the motto of kuch bhi ho sakta hai (“Anything can happen”).
Guests including Mahesh Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, and Kangana Ranaut graced the show with their presence.
The show ran for two seasons in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Anupam’s joviality, wit, and humour made it a memorable talk show with emotion and heart in every episode.
Lock Upp
Lock Upp, also known as Lock Upp: Badass Jail, Atyaachari Khel was created by Ekta Kapoor. It is hosted by none other than Kangana Ranaut.
It premiered on ALTBalaji and MX Player on February 27, 2022.
The concept of the show comprises the contestants known as “inmates”. They are placed in a prison setting and use their personalities to impress the audience.
On April 16, 2022, it was reported that the show had surpassed 300 million views.
In March 2022, Kangana divulged hosting the show.
She shared: “Ekta Kapoor and Ruchikaa Kapoor came and they said, ‘We want to collaborate with you for your digital debut and we have a couple of ideas for the reality show for you to host’.
“The more I interacted with them and got to know what she wanted to do, the more I became convinced and the show happened gradually.”
Known for her thick skin, Kangana was an apt choice for presenting Lock Upp.
The significant viewing figures suggest that she is one of the best Bollywood celebrities who hosted a TV show.
Up Close & Personal With PZ
Preity Zinta is one of the most popular and loved actresses in Bollywood.
After lighting up the big screen in many films, she thrilled the audience when she came to television in 2011.
Her talk show is titled Up Close & Personal With PZ. Filmed from her penthouse, Preity interviews her male co-stars in the show.
Guests in the first season included Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Hrithik Roshan.
The audience enjoyed themselves as Preity and her guests took them on a trip down memory lane, discussing old memories and future projects.
Preity’s charm, beauty, and talent were there for all to see.
After the first season aired, it was reported that Preity was planning female guests for the second series.
Bollywood celebrities have cemented themselves as firm fixtures on the big screen.
However, when they grace our living rooms or our laptops, they are equally entertaining, if not more.
These shows benefit greatly from their leadership, enticing the audience to come back for more.
So, if you’re yet to see these shows, buckle up and grab some snacks.
Prepare to embrace all the gossip, joie de vivre, and charisma that Bollywood celebrities have to offer you in these TV shows.
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