STAR Plus, which took off the air its popular quiz show "Kaun Banega Crorepati 2" (KBC2) after ailing show host Amitabh Bachchan expressed his inability to shoot for sometime, Friday denied any controversy with the superstar on the issue.

Samir Nair, STAR India's chief operating officer, quashed rumours that Bachchan had refused to shoot for further episodes of "KBC 2" due to "irregularities" in the selection process, as certain sections of the media had reported.

"We have always maintained that Mr. Bachchan's health is of paramount importance. After Mr. Bachchan expressed his inability to shoot for the next couple of months on medical advice, we have taken the decision to end this season of 'KBC'," said Nair.

Nair said the popular show may come back as "KBC 3", a press release said.

"We are also contemplating the modalities of returning with the third season of 'KBC' after taking this break. Claiming that Mr. Bachchan is distancing himself from the show due to alleged irregularities in the selection process is trying to put weight into a story that is baseless," he added.

There were allegations that a few people had managed to get into the Fastest Finger First round (round 10) of the contest twice and that a few employees of national telephony service providers BSNL and MTNL had also managed to get into the round.

He said the rules allow for contestants to come to the round more than once, and making it to the hot seat (the winner of the Fastest Finger First round) disqualifies a person from contesting again. BSNL and MTNL employees are not restricted from participating, he clarified.

He stated that the selection process is validated by one of the world's leading audit firms, KPMG.

"Frivolous accusations of this nature have created an environment of malicious innuendo. We will be taking strong action, using whatever means available to us under the law of the land, against such deliberate defamation and slander against 'KBC 2' and Star Network.

"It is a clear case of sensational journalism by trying to stir up public frenzy on hype rather than facts," said Nair.

Late last year, Amitabh Bachchan was hospitalised after he complained of acute stomachache and was operated upon in Mumbai's Lilavati hospital. He was advised rest for a month.