Low ratings sink India's 'Link'

Auds, contestants reject presenter's style

By ARTI MATHUR

NEW DELHI -- Quizzer "Weakest Link" has bombed in India because auds and contestants don't like the local presenter's Anne Robinson-style bitchiness.

Now Rupert Murdoch's Star Plus channel is planning to drop "Link," dubbed "Kamzor kadii kaun" or "KKK."

The local version of the hit show, developed by U.K. pubcaster the BBC, bowed to huge ratings in January. Auds and Star execs hoped it would match the huge success of the local "Who Want to Be a Millionaire" (Kaun banega crorepati) -- Star's most popular show.

But no one reckoned on auds' rejecting presenter Nina Gupta's scathing humiliation of contestants, in the style that has become the show's trademark around the world.