Amitabh Bachchan: The audiences will decide the fate of Yudh

'I am no game-changer, nor do I ever aspire to be one. I just want to do my stipulated work.'

Amitabh Bachchan, in Yudh mode.

Amitabh Bachchan will be seen in a television soap for the first time in his career, with Yudh.

 The drama series, directed by Anurag Kashyap, will also feature actors like Sarika, Kay Kay Menon and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

The serial is set in the corporate world, and will see Bachchan’s character Yudisthir’s struggles in his personal and professional lives.

Amitabh Bachchan speaks to Subhash K Jha about the new show.

Tell us about your first television show, Yudh.

Yudh is the name of the character I play, Yudhisthir. But there is a yudh (war) in his life too, which he battles with on many fronts.

What made you choose this as your first foray into fiction on television?

I had wished to do a serial some day. Endemol came up with this project. I liked it and then we set about building a team and getting down to constructing it.

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What do you think of the standard of other fiction shows on television?

I am no judge, the audience is. The ones that garner good ratings are obviously the ones that must come in the category of good. I suppose they set the standards.

Will we get to see you do something different on television as compared with what you've done in the movies?

I cannot say, you will have to judge when it airs. The basics are the same, no matter what medium we actors are acting. That is how you shall see this serial as well.

But (director) Anurag Kashyap and the team have tried to present it differently from what has been coming in the category of soaps and serials.

Do you watch any television? Do you think the content on Indian television has shown a healthy growth over the years?

Yes, I do watch TV and yes, the growth of television in India is by far the greatest in the world. With about 800 channels currently operative, it’s perhaps larger than the entire volume of global channels put together.

Television in India has overtaken the returns of cinema three fold, and this within a spate of the last 10-15 years. Compared to a 100 year film industry, this must be looked upon as a healthy growth.

You proved to be a game-changer on television with Kaun Banega Crorepati. What expectations can your audiences have from Yudh?

I am no game-changer, nor do I ever aspire to be one. I just want to do my stipulated work. The audiences will decide the fate of Yudh.

Would you say Yudh is a new phase in your endlessly re-invented career?

Phases in a person’s life need deeper thought, consideration and comment. Television is just another aspect of a profession I already practice. This fresh attempt is another project. Let us not give it so much importance.