This is Aamir Khan's first venture on small screen. Bollywood industry big-wigs like Amitabh Bacchan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan have already wowed the small screen audience by anchoring hugely popular Indian- version-shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who wants to be a Millionaire) and Kya aap panchvi pass se tez hain ( Are you smarter than a 5th grader). But what Aamir Khan has chosen as his television début is quite commendable.
Aamir Khan is known to be a perfectionist, and has made quite an impact on classes and masses alike with his carefully chosen films - e.g. Raang De Basanti, Lagaan, Tare Zameer Paar, 3 Idiots - which are commercial successes with a social conscience.
Satyamev Jayate - which means Truth, Alone, Prevails - and is the national motto of India, and features on India's national emblem -is not about Aamir Khan. Though Aamir's stardom and screen presence lends itself heavily to the popularity of the show, the show itself addresses pressing social issues in India.
Hosted by Aamir Khan, each episode focuses on one issue, and brings on the screen the realities about it, bitter- sweet as they are.
I think its quite an intelligent choice by Aamir Khan.Television is a very powerful medium to reach millions across urban and rural India - the show airs prime-time on national as well as private channels, in multiple Indian languages. Aamir Khan alone is a strong enough force to attract top TRP. By lending himself to voice the social issues, he has ensured that he can get a huge majority of Indian audience to watch him.
Coming back to the show, its just 5 episodes old, and already has Indians talking. Issues addressed so far are female foeticide, dowry, honour killings, child abuse,medical malpractices and disability in India. The format of the show is simple. Aamir Khan hosts a live audience.( as a side note though, looking at how well behaved, obedient and precise they are in their comments - and this being Aamir Khan's show, it definitely must be scripted. No one speaks out of turn, no one fights for the mic and all are in rapt attention.) That aside, Aamir invites relevant people to speak up and speak about the issue in question and also shows clips of researched cases on AV. Facts and figures, laws and regulations about the issue are discussed. Audience participate in voicing their concerns or opinions about the issue. The spectrum of emotions ranges from the bleakest, darkest , most shameful aspects to the bright and very positive notes of it. Show always ends on a very positive note.
Aamir Khan's dedication and concern is evident in the show. The purpose of the show is to talk and address issues, and spill out the facts. No tear jerkiness, slow motion weeping, gut-wrenching sound tracks at the background.This could have been another cringe-worthy show, where we just shy away from seeing the issue in the eye, but this hurdle has been skilfully manoeuvred, making the show credible and realistic. Above all, people are speaking about the issues, and that itself is something.
One show can't bring about a change, but it at least is making an effort. Hats off to that!
