Review on the Show Satyamev Jayate

By Kulsum Nakadar

Kulsum Nakadar is a Freshman student of Journalism at Smt. M.M.K College, affiliated to Mumbai University in Mumbai India.

There comes a time in our lives when the collective conscience of the nation is shaken. All it takes is a mirror for us to reflect on what we are and the society we live in. Satyamev Jayate hosted by Aamir Khan on Star Plus was one such weekly episode in the life of Indians that shook people up and put them face to face with issues they were in denial and did not want to confront.

It dealt with the socio-cultural problems prevalent in the Indian society. It has been a success in the eyes of majority of the audiences viewing the show and Aamir khan has turned from a celebrity Bollywood actor to a social activist. The show was dubbed in all major Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil , Telugu, Bengali and Marathi, so as to reach as many Indians as it could.

Episodes ranged from female foeticide to intercaste marriages, dowry and domestic violence. All these issues and the relevant stories that were brought forward were definitely an eye opener to the young and old. Satyamev Jayate did not just throw light on the issue but also brought to our notice various people, whether individuals or organizations who are working towards positive social change among us.

The popularity of the show grew fast with the telecast of the very first episode. The last episode was a mix of different issues and it illustrated the common dream of our freedom fighters. Corruption, discrimination between different religious groups, caste discrimination, and gender biases all these have been a major obstacle in the path of achieving a better, brighter and a socially just and inclusive India.

Satyamev Jayate like every other show too had its share of controversies and loopholes. All these issues that were brought to the forefront were issues that were sensitive and very complex in nature. They could not be dealt in just an hour. All major points could not be discussed in such a short span of time. This show could have been more inclusive. It could have highlighted problems at all strata of our society, rather than just highlighting the urban Indian’s problems and the upper classes while the other part of India was left out.

Many of those who came on the show seemed empowered and aware of their constitutional rights. The episode on casteism did not generate as much interest as some of the earlier episodes. Part of it could be because the issue of casteism is not a topic unknown to most Indians. Some people alleged that the show generalised the entire Brahmin community of being casteist. Others felt the episode was long and dull.

This is just criticism of one show but there were many and they could be critiqued for what it brought out and what it left out. By and large the show maintained its popularity by bringing about a ray of hope in people for a better and brighter India. There is a ready audience that knows more and wants to bring change and Satyamev Jayate bares the nation’s soul and ensures we don’t get too comfortable in the new India. There is much work to be done and we need such constant reminders.

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