Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu

In March 2014, reports emerged that Nagarjuna would host the Telugu version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the makers were in talks with him.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/nagarjuna-to-host-kbc-telugu-version-telugu-news-104939|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322005617/http://www.indiaglitz.com/Nagarjuna-to-host-KBC-Telugu-version-telugu-news-104939|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2014|title=Nagarjuna to host KBC Telugu version|website=IndiaGlitz|date=19 March 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} With Nagarjuna confessing that he wanted to be a television game show host, the reports gained prominence.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Nagarjuna-to-host-KBC-in-Telugu/articleshow/32312711.cms|title=Nagarjuna to host KBC in Telugu|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 March 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} There were reports that Nagarjuna charged {{INR}}3 crores for hosting 40 episodes for the first season.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Nagarjuna-paid-Rs-3-crore-for-KBC/articleshow/32508025.cms|title=Nagarjuna paid Rs 3 crore for KBC?|newspaper=The Times of India|date=22 March 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} The reports of Nagarjuna's inclusion were confirmed in early April 2014 and Nagarjuna participated in the promo shoots.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/nagarjuna-busy-with-kbc-promo-shoot-telugu-news-105671|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406103204/http://www.indiaglitz.com/Nagarjuna-busy-with-KBC-promo-shoot-telugu-news-105671|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2014|title=Nagarjuna busy with KBC promo shoot|website=IndiaGlitz|date=3 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} The official announcement was made on 18 April 2014 and the show was titled Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu aired on MAA TV.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/official-announcement-on-nagarjunas-kbc-on-18th-telugu-news-106213|title=Official announcement on Nagarjuna's KBC on 18th|website=IndiaGlitz|date=15 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/events/50461.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041246/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/events/50461.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2014|title=Nagarjuna's 'Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu' Promo|website=IndiaGlitz|date=18 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} The game show was launched in an event at Hyderabad. Nagarjuna and his wife Amala were present at the event, as were Allu Aravind, MAA TV Chairman Nimmagadda Prasad, CMD of BIG Synergy Siddhartha Basu and his wife Anitha. To introduce and educate the viewers about the show, Nagarjuna was seated on the hot seat and Amala took the role of host and asked questions about their personal life which were answered by Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna, Allu Aravind, Nimmagadda Prasad, and Siddhartha Basu spoke to the media about the game show.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/nagarjunas-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu--launched-grandly-tamil-news-106382|title=Nagarjuna's ''Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu " launched grandly|website=IndiaGlitz|date=18 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/nagarjuna-to-host-telugu-version-of-kbc/article5927665.ece|title=Nagarjuna to host Telugu version of KBC|work=The Hindu|date=19 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}}

The Call for Entry (CFE) was announced on 24 April 2014. The makers asked registrants to answer the five questions asked by replying with an SMS.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/MEKs-registration-begins/articleshow/34164897.cms|title=MEK's registration begins|newspaper=The Times of India|date=24 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} The registration lines were closed on May 1, 2014, and the selection process was supervised by Ernst & Young.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/two-days-left-for-nagarjunas-mek-entries-telugu-news-106815|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041043/http://www.indiaglitz.com/two-days-left-for-nagarjunas-mek-entries-telugu-news-106815|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2014|title=Two days left for Nagarjuna's 'MEK' entries|website=IndiaGlitz|date=29 April 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} The channel's call for participants received more than a million entries, of which 1500 were shortlisted through the randomized process. From among them, 100 contestants were selected through auditions in Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Hyderabad. The show was announced to go on the air on 9 June 2014 at 9:00 PM and by 6 June 2014 Nagarjuna completed shooting of 6 episodes.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/nag-turns-quizmaster-on-the-telly/article6087645.ece|title=Nag turns quizmaster on the telly|work=The Hindu|date=6 June 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} Nine participants from different socioeconomic backgrounds played the game in each episode. Every contestant's back-end story was recorded and addressed in the show. The prize money ranged from {{INR}}1,000/- to {{INR}}1 crore/- ,and the rules were the same as the Hindi version. Those who answered all 15 questions correctly would win {{INR}}1 crore. The show initially ran from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM from Mondays to Thursdays, but it was later changed from Sunday to Thursday because of the show's success.{{cite web|date=9 June 2014|title=Nagarjuna's MEK from today in MAA TV|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/nagarjunas-mek-from-today-in-maa-tv-telugu-news-108706|access-date=31 July 2014|website=IndiaGlitz}}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/MEK-rides-high-on-Nagarjunas-charisma/articleshow/38611896.cms|title=MEK rides high on Nagarjuna's charisma|newspaper=The Times of India|date=18 July 2014|access-date=2 August 2014}}

The shoot of 40 episodes of the first season ended on 18 July 2014 and the last episode of the first season was aired on 7 August 2014.{{cite web|url=http://telugu.way2movies.com/newssingle_telugu/Nagarjuna-wraps-MEK-season-1-4-555187.html|title=Nagarjuna wraps MEK season 1|publisher=way2movies.com|date=18 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/Nagarjunas-mek-debut-season-grand-finale-on-aug-7th-telugu-news-111294|title=Nagarjuna's MEK debut season grand finale on Aug 7th|website=IndiaGlitz|date=2 August 2014|access-date=2 August 2014}} In addition to contestants, celebrities such as Vidya Balan{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/news/2014/vidya-balan-promote-bobby-jasoos-nagarjuna-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu-152076.html|title=Vidya Balan Promotes Bobby Jasoos On Nagarjuna's Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu|publisher=Oneindia Entertainment|date=24 June 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} Shriya Saran,{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/Shriya-to-surprise-small-screen-lovers/articleshow/37239099.cms|title=Shriya to surprise small screen lovers|newspaper=The Times of India|date=26 June 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} Allari Naresh,{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/Allari-Naresh-participated-in-Nags-game-show/articleshow/37364836.cms|title=Allari Naresh participated in Nag's game show|newspaper=The Times of India|date=28 June 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} Naga Chaitanya, Vishal, Jhansi, Suma Kanakala,{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/Nagarjunas-comedy-on-anchor-Suma/articleshow/38211196.cms|title=Nagarjuna's comedy on anchor Suma|newspaper=The Times of India|date=10 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} Pooja Hegde,{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/pooja-hegde-grooves-on-the-sets-of-mek/articleshow/45776313.cms|title=Pooja Hegde grooves on the sets of MEK|website=The Times of India|date=6 January 2015|access-date=31 January 2015}} Charmme, Lakshmi Manchu,{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/news/2014/kajal-charmi-lakshmi-on-nagarjuna-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu-153858-pg1.html|title=Kajal, Charmi, Lakshmi On Nagarjuna's Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu|publisher=Oneindia Entertainment|date=15 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} Kajal Aggarwal{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/Kajal-graces-Nagarjunas-TV-show/articleshow/38208373.cms|title=Kajal graces Nagarjuna's TV show|newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/tv/Kajal-enthrals-fans-on-Nags-game-show/articleshow/39173461.cms|title=Kajal enthrals fans on Nag's game show|newspaper=The Times of India|date=28 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} and Chiranjeevi{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/chiranjeevi-to-be-on-hot-seat-soon/article6237097.ece|title=Chiranjeevi to be on hot seat soon|work=The Hindu|date=22 July 2014|access-date=31 July 2014}} made guest appearances on the show.

Season 3 started on 26 November 2015, with a special theme of Jodi (couple). As the first step towards the launch of MEK Season 3, the CFE for the registration process commenced on 9 October and would continue for 10 days. As part of the CFE process, one question was broadcast every day at 7:00 PM on Maa TV. Those who were interested could respond before 6.30 PM the next day.

Season 4 was launched on 13 February 2017, hosted by Chiranjeevi.

In late 2020, the show makers planned the brand new season of the series on Gemini TV, broadcasting the show for the first time with N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as a host. The title and logo of the show also changed during this time.{{Cite web|title=Telugu News - Jr NTR Evaru Meelo Koteeswarudu: బుల్లితెరపై జూనియర్ ఎన్టీఆర్.. ఎవరు మీలో కోటీశ్వరుడు అంటూ..|url=https://telugu.news18.com/news/movies/jr-ntr-to-host-a-show-called-evaru-meelo-koteeswarudu-and-promo-shoot-begins-in-annapurna-7-acres-pk-776266.html|access-date=2021-02-24|website=News18 Telugu|language=te}}{{Cite web|title=Jr NTR to host Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu season 5? - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/jr-ntr-to-host-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu-season-5/articleshow/79679487.cms|access-date=2020-12-11|website=The Times of India|language=en}} In March 2021, it was reported that the filming would begin with a live audience.{{Cite web|title=Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu host Jr NTR confirms shooting with LIVE audience {{!}} TV - Times of India Videos|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/tv/telugu/evaru-meelo-koteeswarulu-host-jr-ntr-confirms-shooting-with-live-audience/videoshow/81484187.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|language=en}} However, it was indefinitely postponed due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Popular television director Arun Sheshkumar was roped in to direct the first few episodes of this season. Filming started on 10 July 2021, with Rama Rao joining the production.{{Cite web|last=Reddy|first=Sandeep|date=2021-07-10|title=Junior NTR: 'ఎవరు మీలో కోటీశ్వరుడు' షూటింగ్ లో జూనియర్ ఎన్టీఆర్|url=https://www.hmtvlive.com/movies/junior-ntr-joins-in-evaru-meelo-koteeswarulu-2021-shooting-67694|access-date=2021-07-19|website=www.hmtvlive.com|language=te}} The first schedule of the shoot lasted for ten days.{{Cite web|title=Jr NTR-hosted Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu's premiere to be postponed? - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/jr-ntr-hosted-evaru-meelo-koteeswarulus-premiere-to-be-postponed/articleshow/84520645.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}} A celebrity guest episode featuring Ram Charan was also shot during the schedule.{{Cite web|title=Ram Charan to grace Jr NTR-hosted Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu as a special guest - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/ram-charan-to-grace-jr-ntr-hosted-evaru-meelo-koteeswarulu-as-a-special-guest/articleshow/84440490.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

The standard Who Wants to be a Millionaire? format is used, with the Fastest Finger contest before the main game.

The money won after each question is roughly doubled from the previous amount won, exponentially increasing the amount won after each correct answer until the contestant reaches the final question, when they win the maximum prize (₹1 crore/-).

A contestant can use a lifeline when he/she is undecided about which answer is correct. A lifeline can only be used once.

• Audience Poll: If the contestant uses this lifeline, it will result in the host repeating the question to the audience. The studio audience gets 10 seconds to answer the question. Audience members use touch pads to designate what they believe the correct answer to be. After the audience has chosen their choices, the results are displayed to the contestant in percentages in bar-graph format and also shown on the monitors screens of the host and contestant, as well as the TV viewers.
• Phone a Friend: If the contestant uses this lifeline, the contestant is allowed to call one of the three pre-arranged friends, who all have to provide their phone numbers in advance. The host usually starts off by talking to the contestant's friend and introduces him/her to the viewers. After the introduction, the host hands the phone call over to the contestant who then immediately has 30 seconds to ask and hope for a reply from their friend. In season 5, the lifeline was renamed to "Video Call a Friend." Instead of three pre-arranged friends, instead, there are five.
• Fifty-Fifty (50/50): If the contestant uses this lifeline, the host will ask the computer to randomly remove and eliminate two of the "wrong" answers. This will leave one right answer and one wrong answer, resulting in a situation of eliminating 50% of the choices as well as having a 50% chance of getting the answer right if the contestant is in a situation of making a guess.
• Double Dip: This lifeline allows the contestant to make two guesses at a question. Getting both answers incorrect results in the contestant's winnings dropping back down to the last milestone achieved. This lifeline differs from others in that once the player has chosen to use this lifeline, he/she must answer the question, and cannot walk away or use any further lifelines on that question.
• Code Red: The lifeline, which gives the opportunity for the contestant's family members to warn the contestant if they feel the answer is wrong. Removed in season four.

In the first 3 seasons, no one won the ₹1 crore/- prize in the show. However, in Season 3, two pairs of contestants, Husband-Wife duo Amarnath - Rohita from Vizag, and Mother-Son duo Uma - Aditya, also from Vizag, each won ₹50 lakhs/- and both attempted the ₹1 crore/- question accurately after quitting.{{cite web|date=23 June 2014|title=Akkineni Nagarjuna's Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu', Telugu version of 'KBC', registers highest television viewer rating|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akkineni-nagarjunas-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu-telugu-version-of-kbc-registers-highest-television-viewer-rating/481186-71-177.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627113416/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akkineni-nagarjunas-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu-telugu-version-of-kbc-registers-highest-television-viewer-rating/481186-71-177.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 June 2014|access-date=31 July 2014|publisher=IBN Live}} However, in the 1st season of the revived version of the show, Raja Ravindra, a Sub Inspector from Hyderabad, became the first contestant out of all 5 seasons to win the ₹1 crore/- prize.{{Cite web|title=Jr NTR-hosted Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu to crown its first crorepati Raja Ravindra; all you know about the special episode - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/jr-ntr-hosted-evaru-meelo-koteeswarulu-to-crown-its-first-crorepati-raja-ravindra-all-you-know-about-the-special-episode/articleshow/87713179.cms|access-date=2021-11-16|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

As per the TAM data, MEK has recorded 17.61 TVR in CS Female AB 25-44 Years category, 14.58 TVR in CS Female ABC 25+ years category, 10.20 TVR in CS Male ABC 15+ Years category, 12.31 TVR in CS ABC 15-44 Years category and 10.15 TVR in CS 4+ Years category, which is a record of sort for a game show in Telugu.

One of the episodes in mid-June 2014 garnered a rating of 9.7 TVR and averaged 6.7 TVR that week becoming the fourth most-watched Telugu GEC at that time.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Akkineni Nagarjuna's 'Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu', Telugu version of 'KBC', registers highest television viewer rating|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/akkineni-nagarjunas-meelo-evaru-koteeswarudu-telugu-version-of-kbc-registers-highest-television-viewer-rating-697050.html|access-date=|website=CNN-NEWS18}} The following month it garnered its peak rating of 10.8 TVR, consistently maintaining its position in top Telugu GEC since four weeks.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Nagarjuna's TV show on top for fourth week in a row|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/nagarjunas-tv-show-on-top-for-fourth-week-in-a-row/articleshow/38315199.cms|access-date=|website=The Times of India}}

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Category:Indian game shows

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