He feels that they would not have been able to do justice to Buddha's character in a film.
It's been more than three years when filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker and Modi announced the making of a film on Buddha's life, but it was shelved.
Later, it was reported that Shekhar Kapur may helm the ambitious project.
"I am glad that we didn't make a film because in a two-hour film, I wouldn't have done justice to the Buddha's character, Buddha's teachings, Buddha's life, " Modi said here Saturday at the launch of the series on "Buddha".
"Buddha", a 52-episode series, will tell the story of Prince Siddharth and his transition into the Buddha.
Talking about the format of the show, he said: "It's not 52 serials that we are making, we are going to make 52 films of one hour each."
"So it's going to be something which will give us enough time and enough subject to discuss all aspects of Buddha that the story deserves, " he added.
In the show, actor Kabir Bedi will be seen playing a sage who forsees Buddha's coming. Besides, Sameer Dharmadhikari and Gunjan Uprari will also be seen in prominent roles.
On being asked about the film on Buddha, Modi said: "May be after the serial is complete, we may take up again the film project."
The teleseries will be aired on Zee TV.
