Story is the USP of 'Yudh', not me: Amitabh Bachchan

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, all set to make his grand fiction debut on television with 'Yudh', hopes that the unique story of the series will help him connect to a larger audience.

'Yudh' boasts of a plethora of talent in its writing and casting departments, led by Bachchan's character of a real estate baron.

The 71-year-old star, one of the first from Bollywood to take a plunge into television by hosting popular gaming reality show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', said he wanted to explore the narrative format for a long time. "For quite some time I wanted to get an opportunity on television in which I get to work in a serial. I got in touch with Anurag Kashyap last January. Then we together took this forward. For me it has been an amazing experience. And I am thankful to those people who have worked with me and helped make this series," said Bachchan, who unveiled the first poster of 'Yudh' in the capital today.

Bachchan, who has starred in over 180 films in a career spanning more than four decades, says he decided to be a part of the series because he understands the potential of TV. "Television is a very powerful medium. Commercially the turnover of television is three times more than that of films.

It means that more people watch TV than films... there are more than 800 channels. I wanted to contribute to this. It is not about coming down to TV or going up to films. I think it is a healthy interchange of talent," he said.

'Yudh' has been directed by Ribhu Dasgupta with Kashyap on board as creative director and 'Madras Cafe' helmer Shoojit Sircar as creative consultant.

"The story is the USP of 'Yudh' and not me. I feel the directors, the writers are the main guys involved in this show. If there is no story then I am useless. I am a mere puppet and I did what they asked me to do," Bachchan said.

Yudh' has a stellar ensemble cast with the likes of Sarika, Kay Kay Menon, Nawazuddin Siddique and Tigmanshu Dhulia among others. 

In the TV series, Bachchan will be seen playing the role of Yudhishtir Sikarwar, who has been recently diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder.

'Yudh' has been co-produced by Bachchan's production company Saraswati Creations and Endemol India. The makers said that the show is expected to air on Sony television next month.

Kashyap, who directed a section in 'Bombay Talkies' in which Big B did a cameo, feels this is the actor's finest work in the past many years. "This is Mr Bachchan's finest work in so many years. I hope that we do to television what we have been wanting to do for so long and we start creating a new kind of content. It is a novel way of storytelling on TV," said Kashyap.

Sircar says 'Yudh' is novel concept and it will change the whole Indian television scenario which is mainly dominated by 'sass-bahu' sagas. "It is really a privilege to be part of something which is a first of its kind. Television needs a change. I feel this is that change where people will see cinema on TV," said the director.

Sircar said he would not mind releasing his Bachchan-starrer 'Shoebite', which is yet to see the light of the day, on TV.