Women make 50 percent of country's power: Amitabh Bachchan

The 69-year-old veteran, who is driving home the message of importance of knowledge through his hit reality TV game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati 6" (KBC), believes half the country's power lies in its women.

"In smaller towns, girls are not being allowed education. There is a lot of discrimination and kept in a separate space. I believe naari hamaare desh ki 50 percent shakti hai (women make the country's 50 percent power)," Bachchan said here.u00a0The actor said it was time people let their daughters free from the clutches of gender bias and let them carve their own niche using knowledge.

"They should get the same privileges as the men folk. There are lots of studies, the data of which indicates that most girls from small towns are not allowed to continue education after the seventh or eighth standard."u00a0"And people say 'Why should we let her study, she will go after marriage so why should we waste our money on this?'. These words seem like an abuse to me. And I believe nobody should think like that," added Big B Wednesday night at the official press launch of the sixth season of KBC.

The forthcoming season, set to go on air on Sony Sep 7, delves deep into the philosophy of "Gyaan hi aapko aapka haq dilaata hai (Knowledge gets you what you deserve)".u00a0And Bachchan says he feels proud when girls break the clutches of societal pressures and prove their mettle.u00a0His wife, Jaya Bachchan has been a successful actress, his daughter Shweta Nanda is a well-read lady, and his daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai is among the top-rated celebrities and an international icon.

"When girls fight the society, family and circumstances and then they come and sit on the hot seat, I feel proud because they come there only because of their gyaan (knowledge)," he said.