 "Bigg Boss to speak in Kannada now")
ETV Kannada has bagged the format rights from Endemol India to produce the popular reality show. The Indian adaptation of the UK’s Big Brother was first aired on Sony Entertainment Television. It was later shifted to the Colors channel, owned by Viacom18, a joint venture of the Network18 Group and Viacom Inc.
The Kannada version of the show will see local newsmakers and celebrities from all walks of life entering the Bigg Boss House. Southern superstar Sudeep will be introduced as the host of the show on Kannada television.
“This is the best show available for the viewers to get up close and personal with their favourite celebrities. Bigg Boss is our next unique offering that will further accelerate and add momentum to our existing bouquet of shows," said Parameshwar Gundkal, programming head, ETV Kannada.
According to Deepak Dhar, CEO, Endemol India, Bigg Boss has connected extremely well with Indian audiences because it showcases reality in its truest, unadulterated form. “Season after season, it has been the talk of the town. To maintain the same amount of fanfare in its Kannada version, we have incorporated a gamut of innovations and new ideas based on our observations and learning from the Bigg Brother Format world over. Bigg Boss Kannada is bound to create entertaining content driven by the reality of what each contestant will experience in the Bigg Boss house… real emotions, real drama and real tension,” he added.
This is not the first time that a show is taking the regional path. Earlier, Kaun Banega Crorepati had been aired in Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil and Kannada. Similarly, Deal or No Deal was aired in all four southern languages. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa will soon be aired on ETV Bangla.