Mirakkel returns after five years, but mystery surrounds whether Mir will host
Popular West Bengal comedy reality show Mirakkel Akkel Challengers is set to return after a long five-year break. The show became hugely popular with viewers for host Mir Afsar Ali's presentation, the contestants' comedy and their banter with the judges.
Season 10 of Mirakkel Akkel Challengers began airing in 2020 and ended in 2021. The show has been off the air ever since.
Zee Bangla formally announced Mirakkel Season 11 last Wednesday. Comedy performers of all ages have been invited to take part in the auditions.
Under the audition rules, anyone over the age of five can take part by sending a video of themselves telling jokes. The main rounds will begin after the selection round.
However, mystery surrounds whether Mir Afsar Ali will be in the host's seat this season, because the channel has not announced the host's name.
Mir himself has stayed silent since the new season was announced. When several media outlets asked him about it, he avoided the subject.
During Mirakkel's break, Mir said in several interviews that he did not want to return to the show. He was mainly annoyed by the many restrictions imposed on the programme.
Director Subhankar Chattopadhyay has not clarified the host question either. He told the media, however, that the new season has been designed in a new format. If all goes well, Mirakkel Season 11 will begin in February next year.
The channel has not announced the judges' names either. Sreelekha Mitra, Rajatava Dutta and Paran Bandyopadhyay, who were on the judging panel in several earlier seasons, said they have not been contacted about the new season.
Since the new season was announced, however, viewers on social media have been demanding that the old team be brought back.
Although Mirakkel airs on Indian channel Zee Bangla, it is very popular in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi contestants have regularly taken part in the show and have won its top prizes. Abu Hena Rony, Ishtiaque Naser, Anwarul Alam Sajal, Jamil Hossain, Arman, Pavel and Hridoy are among those who emerged from this platform.
