Endemol India producing SET drama with Bollywood star

Sony Entertainment Television and Endemol India are working on a major new drama series starring Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

The currently untitled series will go out on SET India and be based on an idea from Endemol, which is coproducing with Bachchan’s prodco Saraswati Creations. Bachchan is one of the most influential actors in Bollywood history, with more than 180 films to his name.

Plot details are yet to emerge but writer/director Anurag Kashyap, who was behind gangster epic Gangs of Wasseypur is attached. Further production details will follow.

“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, CEO and managing director Endemol India. “This epic drama series will have India’s biggest international film legend starring in his first ever television role and the nation’s most exciting writing talent driving the narrative.”

He added the series was “further evidence of how Endemol India’s fast expansion in TV drama and film production is adding a significant new dimension to our business”.

Endemol India launched in 2006 and counts the successful local remake of Big Brother, titled Bigg Boss, and formats such as Fear Factor among his credits. It has recently moved into TV and film drama with projects such as thriller Kahaani and a Hindi-language remake of feature film Traffic.

Last year, CA Media, the Asian investment of The Chernin Group acquired a 49% stake in the business.