It was the year 2012 when it was announced that popular Bollywood actor, Aamir Khan, would be debuting on T.V by hosting a show on Star plus. Everyone in the country thought that it would probably be a full on entertainment show just like other celebrity hosted T.V shows, example Kaun Banega Crorepati, Kya Aap Panchvi Pass se tez ho? Etc. But this show was no ordinary show; it was one of a kind. It changed people’s mind-sets, it helped people to come out of fear and talk about social issues and it basically changed the perception of edutainment in our country. The show is none other than Satyamev Jayate.

The show is true to its title, which means “Truth alone prevails”. Grieve social issues are dealt with a lot of importance and care. One of the main reasons as to why it is so popular is because it is very relatable and true. All the stories are researched thoroughly and there is no element of malice. The topic showcased, whether it deals with child sexual abuse or dowry, gets straight to the point, never has it diverted in anyway. Even the host Aamir Khan is deeply involved in it that he has often been shown crying on the show. Each episode is so deep and emotional that it will definitely make you shed a tear or two. Various issues dealt include female foeticide, dowry system, love marriages and honour killings in India, old age, alcohol abuse etc. The whole show is of two hours and it focuses on every aspect of the issue, ranging from its cause to various examples of incidents, victims sharing their trauma, steps to be taken to prevent such incidents and many more. The show ran for a year and dealt with 14 topics which mostly were issues our country faced.

Initially when the show was launched, it did not have any type of promotions. There were no press conferences, no promo videos on the T.V, absolutely nothing. That is one of the qualities of the show, it does not try too hard. If you have ever watched one episode, you will sympathize with the victims, sometimes even feel the adrenaline pumping in your blood. The show has received a lot of positive reviews from critics as well as the viewers. At the end of each episode, Mr Khan asks for a petition to be passed to the government and asks every viewer to put in a little effort to make a change. You actually feel good when you receive that SMS after you give a missed call to support the cause. The show has not only made us cry but also gave us hope that we can at least change the mind sets of our younger generation. One speciality of the show is its song segment at the end of each episode. Every song played relates to the cause of each episode. The show has had its share of controversies as well. The title song was sued for plagiarism. There were ups and downs, but on the brighter side, the show inspired millions. It saw victims and survivors share their story, it saw the host, Mr Khan cry, it saw wonderful performances by various singers, most notably Sona Mohapatra. The show claims to not be afraid of any pressure while selecting its topics, it is fearless. Overall the show has created a positive impact and has also created a whole new dimension to the world of television in India.  

Ann Mary Easow