Bollywood Icon Slated for Endemol India Drama

LONDON/MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan has signed on to star in a new drama for Sony Entertainment Television India that is being co-produced by Endemol India and the Bollywood star’s own company, Saraswati Creations.

The idea for the as yet untitled show came from Endemol India, with a script that is being developed by Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose credits include Gangs of Wasseypur. This is Bachchan’s first television drama but he is no stranger to television, having hosted the Indian versions of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Kaun Banega Crorepati and Big Brother, Big Boss. One of Bollywood’s most iconic actors—with a career that spans some 180 movies—Bachchan recently appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.

“We are thrilled to be working with Amitabh Bachchan and Anurag Kashayp on one of Endemol India’s most exciting projects to date," said Deepak Dhar, managing director and CEO of Endemol India (a joint venture between Endemol Group and Peter Chernin’s CA Media). "This epic drama series will have India’s biggest international film legend starring in his first ever television role and the the nation’s most exciting writing talent driving the narrative. Today’s announcement is further evidence of how Endemol India’s fast expansion in TV drama and film production is adding a significant new dimension to our business.”