Hosted by Master Anand, the show will also feature performers KR Pette, Nayana, GG, Suraj, Appanna, and Surya as the team captains. Mentors and celebrity judges Jaggesh, Rakshita and Yograj Bhat will also return to the reality show.

New for this season is the addition of a jury panel of comedians from the Sandalwood industry, who participate and guide their respective teams through each round.

The ultimate winner will be chosen from the top four teams in a grand finale, all competing for INR1 million in prize money.

“Over the years, Comedy Kiladigalu has emerged as a distinct property for Zee Kannada with its unique format that left audiences spellbound with undiminishing fun and never-ending laughter that families could enjoy at the comfort of their homes. With the launch of Comedy Kiladigalu Championship, we are bringing together the industry’s best comical talent to a stage where the stakes are bigger, the competition is way fiercer, and laughs plentiful!” said Raghavendra Hunsur, business head, Zee Kannada.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring back to the screen some of our yesteryear Sandalwood comedians whose jokes and on-screen presence have made Kannadigas smile ear-to-ear for years now. We welcome our judge’s panel to the Zee Kannada Kutumba and look forward to a season of laughter and cheer!”

The move follows the announcement by regional general entertainment rival Colors Super that its Kannada comedy show Papa Pandu and reality show Bigg Boss Kannada are set for a reprise.