Yudh

To start with I would say that I was not very excited about this series. I usually don't watch TV series, especially typical Indian daily soap (Saas bahu drama). I thought it was an attempt to market average content using BigB's name. But just for name sake I gave it a chance and started watching from the second episode. I continued it with watching 3-4 too and I soon realized it was not an average TV serial. It's dark for an Indian TV show. Almost every scene drives the story forward without any melodrama. Characters are very real and believable, not to mention backed by some high quality performance one does not get to see in TV series. A great psychological thriller where politics and rivalries feel real and dirty. If you are planning to follow this series my suggestion would be to give it a chance and watch the first few episodes (at-least first 4), then only real plot and depth of story is revealed. Watching just one or two episodes you might just dismiss it with nothing special. One great thing I like about the series is that almost every character gets good screen time accompanied with their own stories which blend well with the original plot. Before starting to watch the series I thought it would be all about AB in every scene and how heroically he faces every situation. Thank god the series is so different from that. Each character comes out as hero in their own right. My personal favorites are performances from Zakir Hussain (Anand) and Aahana Kurma (Taruni). Do watch this series and you would soon realize you have not made a wrong choice.

Good storyline, exceptional acting, simple clothes, no gory makeups, superb editing, no shocking sets, fast moving after the initial episodes make this a standout Hindi mini-serial. Yes it may look a bit complicated to start with (likes most series introducing the storyline) but after a few episodes it is not an issue.

Some of the scenes are fantastic in that there is nothing said.....only expressions and the slick editing takes you to the next scene....no explanation needed like in the saas bahu trash soaps.

All the actors have performed very well and stand shoulder to shoulder with Amitabh in making this serial a triumph with Anurag Khasyap & co directing.

There are a good few social issues touched from time to time in the serial quietly in the background for the viewers to take it on. The 3 crores per episode price tag for each episode shows in every episode with everything being top class.

Hope they extend it into series 2 and 3.....

We live in a country where stupid and meaningless 'Saas-Bahu' serials have been ruling the roost on small screen for nearly a decade an a half. Then came Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in 2000 with 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' and he changed the TV industry. Now he comes with another gem.

I had lots of expectation from the show and after watching the last episode, I can proudly say that the show has exceeded that.

Kudos to Anurag Kashyap for venturing into finite TV series (fictional). The guy has a creative eye an it is pretty evident from the show. He takes some of the best actors from India in the field of theater and cinema and convinces Mr. Bachchan to play the lead protagonist (Yudhishthir Sikarwar). The show is fast paced (except for the 1st episode) with lots of twist and turns.

The Legend of Mr. Amitabh will only get bigger after the show. He is flawless while portraying a character of a businessman suffering from a terminal disease and battling some personal issues, a man who just wants to do the right thing, a man who is fighting his inner demons (in this case a Joker played superbly by Mr. Ishtikya). Mr. Bachchan does a small fight sequence at the end which will ignite memories of his 70s and 80s action movies.

Zakir Hussian impressed me first when I saw him play a negative character in 'Sarkar Raj' and here plays a character of a fixer. His chemistry with Mr. Bachchan is a highlight of the show. Pavail Gulati plays Mr. Bachchan's son. His character evolves during the show and you end up liking him as the series reaches its climax. Aahana Kumara plays Mr. Bachchan's daughter who is level headed and wants to help her father. She is graceful as well as beautiful (got a crush on her). Kay Kay Menon, Nawazuddin, Sarika and Tigmanshu Dhulia play important characters and leave an impact. Though I wish Nawazuddin had played the villain's role. The main villain gets over shadowed by Mr Bachchan's charisma in the finale but does a decent job in the 18th and 19th episode.

There is no melodrama or overacting and has some of the finest performances you will ever see on Indian Television.

The show lost the ratings war against 'Saas Bahu' serials but then we Indians take time to appreciate the good things in life.

The only negative is that it has just 20 episodes and for me it is the finest fictional TV show ever made in India.

Yudh may not have done too great with the TRP numbers but it does show good promise and shows the immense potential as far as content is concerned. The likes of 24 and Yudh makes Indian television watchable to me. These shows should be marketed and packaged better like how West does for the likes of Breaking Bads, Game of Thrones, etc.

In the coming future, we'll see much better series in terms of content but Yudh will definitely stand out as the trend-setter.

Pros: The attempt, the story, the intact suspense, performances and film-making.

Cons: Too dark, too much happening in two little time, opportunity lost on focusing more on Yudh's intra-personal communication (something that Breaking Bad does brilliantly with Walter White)

Indeed, a bold attempt with good actors. AB's presence will encourage others to come up with similar stuff and in coming days we'll surely see more of these.

Who better to get the desperately needed change on Indian TV amidst loony Saans-bahu shows, than Amitabh Bachchan himself.

Although the series begins with a slow pace, it quickly engrosses its viewers in fast gripping, puzzle like thriller drama.

I have never witnessed a better casting on TV than Yudh's Cast. Every single person on show makes their role believable to the T. No over the top acting, No excess make up, no 'you must be kidding me' expressions.

A special mention to Mona Wasu, Aahana Kumra and Zakir Hussain, perfect choice and they deliver great performances.

And this comes as no surprise that Amitabh Bachchan excels once again, as he said in one of the episodes ' unless you don't challenge yourself, set new targets/tasks you can't change the Game. Amitabh Bachchan is indeed a Game Changer.

I must warn you that once you have started watching YUDH it's hard to pause. You want to go on to unveil the mystery.

Watch it for it's amazing plot line, for it's perfect direction, outstanding performances. Most of all watch it to see why Amitabh is and will always be the Legend.