Satya Stint?

So four friends meet up one evening and their topic of discussion is the new star on the block Amir Khan’s ‘Satyameva Jayate. ’ Being a part of the discussion without being a viewer, here is what I understood about it. And I feel good that I did not take an effort to tune into this show.  

With a title track which already garnered a lot of attention, the show seems to be quite a disappointment. In the song, the star is shown to be going to different parts of the country and interacting with the people, while the show happens entirely in a studio. The connection between the song and the show is somewhere lost.

The show is about the social issues prevalent in India and seemingly hopes to make a change. Well people in the society already know about the female feticide, physical abuse, corruption etc.  and the news channels are doing their bit by covering them. Showing the same thing again and again by a perfectionist won’t make a difference. If Amir Khan is able to provide justice to at least one victim (who comes with the guts to speak up) through the show, I would say it’s a success. What is it that the show is trying to convey other than the existence of these social evils is not identified. 

With Amitabh Bachchan, SRK, Salman Khan and of course Hrithik Roshan done with their stints on television screens how can the so-called perfectionist be behind? With his image and choice of films, many thought Satyameva Jayate would be something extra-ordinary. Sadly enough the ordinary problems are shown in an even poorer light. Most of the female foeticide cases take place in the urban, metropolitan areas and very easily the blame goes on the rural populations who aren’t even sure what sonography will all be about. At the end of the show he makes an appeal to his public to curb these problems. Well, his job done there. The TRP of the show have not done too great is what the newspapers said. What would he say to that?

The victims may not shy be anymore to face the camera and give details of the acts of the abuse inflicted. But who knows what goes behind their minds when actually talking to such a large audience? In a way they are playing with their own self-respect and on a verge of losing it. Gaining sympathy from the population does not change the past and nor does it assure a better future. Tears from biggies and the audience in no way gives the necessary help to the victim and nor does it secure the lives of the girls out there.

However, by showing the sordid reality it manages to create a fear among the parents about the safety of their kin. Some families who may be free with their children now might impose restrictions on them. A mother who until now was ready to let her daughter get along with her guy friends will now contemplate with her decision. She will begin to tell her to stay away from guys or some things of that sort. I do not exaggerate here by saying this but I know of people who definitely fear and the outcome is visible. Well this certainly wouldn’t be an agenda in the mind of the organizers I believe.

Instead of wasting money on shooting the title track by going places, how about going to Bihar and talking to people there personally Amir? Isn't the crime rate highest there? Sure someone will be in your awe and will think about your words before trying to touch a girl next time.

On the whole the show is just another news channel feature wrapped in a studio consisting of a seemingly perfect host, mixture of sympathy and emotions, strong victims ready to face the camera with a ribbon of pity on our country. Somebody please attach a card of ‘Justice Granted’ on the box and for me it will then look perfect!

We really need to come up with something better that will hit the people strong and create social consciousness encouraging them to take a step against the evil, curb it. Make a difference in the life of at least one child who has been through the worse and reward yourself with the satisfaction from their Thank You! Getting out tears from Indian houses is not a difficult job; Ekta Kapoor has been doing it since years!

P.S. If you are an Amir Khan fan and think it is a great show, I know you are already raging with me. But lovelies, you are welcome. I get my own space to rant about it here.