(20 February 2006 7:00 pm)

NEW DELHI: It is back with a double measure of fun, laughter and entertainment! The second season of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge (TGILC Dwitiya) starts on 24 February on Star One with new features added to it.

The nationwide search for the best comic talent in India will now have 35 episodes with 18 of them classified as studio episodes. This home grown format is now having many takers in others countries of South East Asia.

As the favourite show is getting bigger, contestants from neighbouring Pakistan too are slated to participate this time round. Apart from this, viewers too will be allowed to decide the fate of a contestant from the semi-finals onward. The SMS interactive element comes into play as viewers can vote in to provide an ousted competitor with a lifeline.

Pointing out at a press conference here today that TGILC Dwitiya or the second season has received an overwhelming response from across the sub-continent, Star India COO Sameer Nair said this year TGILC Dwitiya promised to replicate the success of the first many times over.

The 'Wizards of Wit', Shekhar Suman and Navjot Singh Siddhu, return as the judges and Parizaad Kolah will be back as the host of the show. Produced by Endemol India, TGILC Dwitiya will also dons a new look with a fabulous new set designed by celebrated art director and set designer Nitin Desai.

Star One made the best use of the stand-up comedy genre with properties such as The Great Indian Comedy Show and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. These were the properties that provided Star One the much-needed identity during its initial phase. The Great Indian Laughter Challenge was followed with The Great Indian Laughter Champions on the channel.

Star India's Tamil channel Vijay TV also tasted success with the Tamil version of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Vijay is all set to launch The Great Indian Laughter Champions in Tamil now.