Big B in Bigg Boss

There's going to be another Big B in Bigg Boss: Amitabh Bachchan returns to the small screen after four years, as the host of the controversial reality show. Or rather, as Colors, the channel on which it appears, maintains, he returns more as a 'pop philosopher' than a host.

"I'm excited, and a little apprehensive too as to how the show will be received," says Bachchan, whose last TV outing was on Star Plus in Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Dwitiya in 2005. A sudden illness pulled KBC II off the air, leaving Bachchan with 20-odd episodes he still owed Star Plus.

To do Bigg Boss, Bachchan had to extricate himself from that contract. "The issue's been amicably settled,' he says shortly.

Getting Big B is a big deal for Colors CEO Rajesh Kamat. The Indian version of the international hit Big Brother, Bigg Boss was part of the Colors arsenal when it took on market leader Star Plus last year.

Kamat claims Bigg Boss played an important role in pushing Colors to the No. 1 slot this April.

But though the channel made it to the top, the battle for No. 1 still rages, with Star Plus providing tough competition to Colors.

Will Big B's presence help Colors establish itself as the unchallenged entertainment leader? It's the viewers' votes that will clinch the deal.