With millions glued to the state-run Doordarshan and Star Plus channels all over India at 11am (IST) to watch Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs) — a good 10 hours before it was aired in the UAE — Facebook and Twitter statuses kept changing, bringing almost a live commentary of the show Khan is hosting.
Known to bring hard impacting stories through his films as actor, producer and director, Khan makes sure he doesn't disappoint on the small screen either, by hitting straight where it hurts the most — in the gut.
Female foeticide was the topic of the day on the show's debut episode. Khan evoked a range of emotions in the studio audience, presenting the show with no gimmicks (except maybe for the tears he is seen shedding 10 minutes into the show and the focus on women crying in the audience — but then, he's known to get emotional) and with simple language.
He spoke to women who've suffered at the hands of husbands and in-laws for being unable to give birth to the "ghar ka chirag" — roughly translated as the male child who carries forward the lineage — supporting their stories with well-researched graphic content, interviews with experts and photos of abused women. He highlighted the malpractices of medical practitioners, many of whom are female, around the country and how well-educated middle and upper class of India is just as involved in it, unlike the popular belief that it is only among the illiterate, unaware population of the innermost regions.
"It takes a lot of courage to do this show because even when it was being planned, people questioned, ‘Where is the entertainment in it?'" says Gagan Mudgal, a programming director at one of UAE's Hindi-Urdu radio stations. "Aamir has always been involved in social issues and I think the show will have strong impact. What you realise with this is that the so-called ‘idiot box' doesn't exist any longer."
Dubai resident Vibha Bhatt says she "loved it". "As soon as it was over, I gave my own small standing ovation. I made sure my husband and children watched the show with me as it's not just dealing with a topic but with what is real India. It's not just a talk show, but has a lot supporting research with live examples and a solution to the problem — a complete package. What you see in the show is not Aamir Khan the star, but Aamir Khan the patriot."
It has been reported that the show's official site crashed within minutes after the show ended. "My ammi [mother] was not here, she was in Pune. She liked the show and messaged, ‘Dil pe lag gayi aur baat ban gayi' [it touched my heart and achieved its aim]," Khan told reporters in Mumbai on Sunday. "It was very overwhelming that she liked the show. I had tears in my eyes. I am really happy."
But would I have watched it if Khan was not presenting it? Not immediately, I can say — and many would agree with me. So the star factor does exist, even though Khan may try to underplay it.
The show seems to have also bothered some. Singer Palash Sen of Euphoria has claimed the chorus of the show's 22-minute anthem has been lifted from the band's decade-old song Satyamev Jayate from their album Phir Dhoom. Sen has sent a legal notice to the channel and said he needs no monetary compensation, just the credit for it.
Still, this one episode has reminded Sunday viewers in India and Indians overseas of the record-breaking epic serials Mahabharat, Ramayana and Chanakya, which ran over many years in the '80s and '90s, and were essential Sunday-morning viewing. Satyamev Jayate has the potential, but whether or not it will attain the same status only time will tell.
Satyamev could lighten up
While the first episode of Aamir Khan's TV show Satyamev Jayate focused on female foeticide, things may lighten up in the next few episodes.
Satyamev Jayate will screen every Sunday in the UAE at 9pm on Star Plus Middle East.
