Satyamev Jayate - a confused effort?

I have been a supporter of this show and appreciate efforts their team set out to make. I had a few reservations which I shared in discussion threads earlier, but now after episode 3 I think this show is not going in right direction in its entirety! It's begun to lack comprehensiveness and balance in its approach now.

- TRUTH?:

I thought Aamir and his team would show all aspects of every issue they set out to explore. Then why did he not discuss abuse by one's own parents in the Child sex abuse episode? That also happens! It's pretty much there and rampant too. Why ignore that? Why reluctance in touching a taboo topic? What about mothers sometimes killing their own child out of their own free will because they do not want a girl? There have been cases of females putting a bit of poison on their nipples before breastfeeding the baby girl, so that she dies as she suckles!! There are women also who try to abuse kids. Why only show men? Or evil in-laws?What about women who abuse and even favour female foeticide out of their own choice, without any pressure?

- Balance? - Shouldn't Aamir be exploring ALL sides to a particular issue? Why was misuse of anti-dowry laws by women to blackmail husbands, ignored in episode 3? Section 498A is much protested against for women misusing it to blackmail husbands. No word on that from Aamir's team at all! Agreed majority of dowry victims are women and their families mainly. But let's not ignore those who misuse dowry for their own selfish means and harass their in laws!

And why does Aamir mainly look at people who are victims? What about women's families that deliberately give dowry and consider it as status symbol and show of power? Not every parent is ''forced''! What about girls who themselves think they must go with loads of dowry to ensure they get powerful status and upper hand in their in-laws family?[Rich girls do favour it and brag about what they brought with them in marriage!]

The boys or their families are not interviewed at all. Not insight on their mindset and what makes them do such things like asking for dowry or torturing girl in case she does not meet their demands? What about boys who face ridicule if they marry a girl for ''free'' and don't beget dowry?Explore societal pressures on them too! At least touch upon such aspects!

Pakadwa vivah is also traumatic for a man, who is kidnapped, beaten up and forced to get married! Isn't it wrong that they showed it in a spirit of fun? It's trauma if a girl is kidnapped, beaten and forced to marry or locked up in a room with husband she was forced to marry. But it's all comedy when a man is made to go through the same?🤢

I totally criticise how the man's story was handled in episode 3 of SJ. Thumbs down!👎🏼

- Transitions?- I found the flow of episode 3 very haphazard. It started light-hearted, moved on to being tragic and almost gory, then became light hearted again! Shouldn't the flow be smooth? Shouldn't there have been more consistency in the graph of the show's treatment?

- Moving to just emotions and less of issue stuff, are we? - Episode 1 was brilliant. And so was its follow up. Chinks in armour started to show in episode 2 when they showed Sridevi, whose entire part was extremely unnecessary. Episode 3 had no proper discussions with lawyers, women's rights activists or sociologists. Just 3 stories of victims, 2-3 of changemakers and one song! I am glad he highlighted much neglected North East states and their positive culture. But overall 3rd episode was not at all as comprehensive as episode 1.
Are they under pressure to get viewership or something? Bending to market needs? I expected show to be even more comprehensive than what it was in episode 1. I thought the rona dhona would lessen. A more matter of fact and balanced humane approach would be seen. I didn't think they'd straight away jump to laughing!😕

- Monotony in issues? - Why are issues invariably related to women or in-laws in SJ? What about more universal issues that affect everyone? And what about issues that men also face? I am honestly sick of listening to victimised women and hearing about evil in laws! Can we have something which is not related to dada dadi, saas-sasur, pati-patni alone? I expect a better deal in coming weeks!

- Follow up - Sorry to say, but follow up in last two weeks was not as power packed and active as first week's episode. In first week, Asar program was shown almost whole week on Aaj Tak and other channels to discuss female foeticide issue further, with more experts and keep the debate running. Aamir not only met politicians but also participated with students in a rally against female foeticide apart from writing columns, talking on radio and online.
In second week, Aamir did not meet any NGO, politico or participate in any rally. Only wrote columns in papers and did radio shows. Asar program was also shown in once a week. Why? Why wasn't solid follow up done like it was done in first week? Why were those follow up actions reduced a bit?

- Aamir's own reactions - He's all good, unobtrusive, understated, warm and genuine otherwise. But I think he should do less of ''ohh'', ''tch'''or making all those sounds as he listens to victims' horrific accounts. He needs to be a little stoic as an anchor. I like him best when he's easy going. Sometimes when he exhorts people to take action he gets a bit fidgety, gesticulates with his hands too much as if giving speech on stage. It looks theatrical. I wish he were a bit more balanced as an anchor, instead of going overboard when he feels emotional or charged up to take some action!

- Tone of the show, not inspirational!! - I can't believe SJ has come from a man who gave us inspirational films like TZP, 3I, RDB, Lagaan etc.!! I think Satyamev Jayate mostly has a sombre tone to it. It makes you sad or emotional, but it does not inspire or fire enthusiasm to take some action the way, say, an RDB did! I think when SJ makes you emotional, it mostly makes you sad. It does not fill you with anger or a passion to rise up and take a stand! SJ should have focused on AWARENESS and INSPIRATION/EMPOWERMENT, more than making people shocked or teary-eyed. I dislike how so much time is devoted to victims, while positive models are wrapped up in last half an hour in a jiffy! SJ needs to have an energising format. A certain zing, which is missing.

Honestly speaking, Satyamev Jayate set out to be a great effort, showing issues on the show, then discussing it all week online and on news channels and also radio - with activists, common people and even politicians and of course, raising donations for NGOs, inciting people to take action, raise their voice etc. But 3rd episode and certain lack of energy in follow up, is undermining the vision with which they set out to make this show. They better take note, get back to normal. do what they initially promised, instead of taking fluffy approach they took in episode 3!

I am particularly surprised at lack of any discussion with activists, journalists, lawyers and educators in the third episode.

And biggest thing which bothers me about SJ from day 1 is their lack of discussion and exploration on the CAUSES of these problems like female foeticide or dowry or child sex abuse! They just leave origins, do not explore what gave rise to these problems. Most focus is on victims and survivors now!

I also feel they should use viewers' reactions in a better way. They've got some fantastic videos and written messages from viewers all over India and different countries for every episode. Highlight those voices in some way on TV. They are impactful and show people's own state of mind as they watched this show. They must be highlighted in a big way! Heck! Even people from Germany made videos and sent them to SMJ! Show them to the world Team STAR and Team SMJ! Are they just for accumulating on SMJ official Twitter handle or website?

Highlighting people's voices is more important than anything else. It's an automatic answer to detractors and also helps bind viewers together as they watch more people like them voice their feelings on social issues being discussed and can identify better!

Maybe Aamir's team bit off more than they can chew! Are they finding it difficult to highlight those viewers' reactions they are receiving every day?

Originally posted by: annika20

I am particularly surprised at lack of any discussion with activists, journalists, lawyers and educators in the third episode,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.
And biggest thing which bothers me about SJ from day 1 is their lack of discussion and exploration on the CAUSES of these problems...

Oh Thank God for a balanced post that steers the lay person's path & does not reflect the prejudices of the anti AK camp nor endorses the total bias of He-is-AK & AK-is-God groupies.

Personally,I feel it is a program IS tackling difficult issues rather sensitively.Most of the time!
-Its a show that SOMEBODY had to do
-Better AK than any of the others who have hosted TV shows in the past
-I wish nobody had revealed just HOW much he is charging per episode! It took the sheen off his perhaps genuine desire to make an impact.
-It presents the program very uni dimensionally.
-There is too much emphasis on the tear jerker aspect of the show.
-His reactions were too OTT.In the 1st episode-the women told their unnerving tales with stoic fortitude,while AK,in comparison,seemed to be very filmy in his reactions
-There should have been more emphasis on people like the roadside dhoban who was so obviously delighted with her rotund little daughter & the doctor who underwent several abortions because her Doctor husband & doctor in-laws didn't want a girl child should have been treated a little less as a victim.
-The same goes for the 1st lady in the 3rd episode-WHY the hell did she starve for 4 days-she was in the US where cops are bound to help unlike here in India.
-These kind of glaring flaws in logic tend to off set the rest of the show in a rather damaging way
-The 3rd episode was disastrous & grotesquely uneven.
-AK or someone from his production team needs to trawl through all social net working sites to gauge the popular reaction to the episode.They need to pick out the NEGATIVE posts & glean some knowledge & scope for improvement from THERE & not just preen about the worshipful ones.

I hope this thread celebrates the sane & the logical!
A plea to both groups-AK haters/baiters & AK fans-ADDRESS THE OPINION ABOUT THE PROGRAM-NOT THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE STAR.

And please keep it civil!!!

I agree with all the points you have mentioned . But somewhere after seeing the third episode I do feel that the AK or the show is under pressure. Fro example: Rajasthan minister accusing that why only rajasthan was targeted when it is happening everywhere.Everybody seems to miss the big picture. If you notice, this time he did not ask about any opinions for law or bill to pass. He made a very general question.

After the first episode and its impact, many people have targeted the show completely ignoring the big picture. So, I assume there are lot of things going in the background.

@Annika,

1stly grl so awsum to see you here, and as usual you put it so lucidly and voiced what was running through my head.Each pt you put forward is so valid.

Episode 2 onwards I feel a disconnect of the creaters not only wid the audience but also their inability to present these social issues properly.
Episode 3 is the root cause of most of the social evils of our society and one of the major reasons for female foeticide, yet the treatment of this serious subject was most shabby.They failed to highlight the law of the land, the need to be independent and the need for a general helpline no. for women facing not only dowry but also domestic abuse.I can rant much more on the lack of seriousness surrounding the whole issue , I wanted to see a real and strong ~"ASAR" on this issue.

I dont know if this show can survive without star power, coz whatever be the case Aamir brings people to tv, but what he isnt able to achieve yet is to engage them for the whole 90mins.We need his face and brand to reach out to more and more people .But given me an option and surrounded by a great marketing drive i would have luved to see Rajeev Khendelwal as the host , that guy is good with being dignified and firm at any stage.

I think too much editing is effecting the flow of the show, it needs to find its format and a voice and not waver from it.There was that brilliant show zindagi live , may SJ team can try to replicate the story structure from there.

But then if there is even 1% of total viewers who begin to thnk different, I will gladly take it as a big winner 4 both Aamir and society in general.

Hello Anjani!!🤗 Absolutely delighted to read you again! 😊

- I totally agree with your views on episode 2. There was a slight disconnect. From first episode, the show should only have improved further. But sadly, it's not the case. The first episode still remains the pinnacle of SJ!

- Seriously! The third episode was most disappointing in its treatment of an issue which is root cause of many other problems like female foeticide, domestic violence etc. In fact I was hoping Aamir would express how this issue was also interrelated to issues taken up in first episode. But it just went downhill.

I'd anyday prefer few more minutes of solid discussion than time wasted on songs or focusing on crying faces in audience! Even for the song, I wish they had taken a better singer than Sona. The lyrics were good, but sorry, Sona's voice didn't do justice to them.

- Such a show cannot survive without star power at all in today's age. 😕 I agree. It's only due to Aamir association that this show trends on Google and Twitter every Sunday and gets debated to death across all media! We're far from Surabhi days now. Still, I feel issue-based shows need someone who does not come with baggage of image, mannerisms etc. I noticed Siddharth Kak narrating for another TV show one year ago. And one could feel the difference in way of speaking, command over language and being able to strike a chord without trying too hard the way movie stars do!

Rajeev Khandelwaal is a good example you mentioned! Sach Ka Saamna is mostly about scandal really! Still he conducts it with total dignity, is firm, shows a certain respect but is disciplined and stoic, never goes overboard with making faces! Rajeev is better than all filmy anchors we've ever had. He doesn't suffer from any ''affectations'' that stars do.

- Satyamev Jayate had been promised to be something like never seen before! But it is not so. The only never done before aspects is raising donations, and the sheer scale of the show - dubbing it in different languages, special screenings in rural areas, and trying to do a follow up by taking up issues all through the week via newspapers and radio. In terms of content, the show looks confused. It's not utilising its 90 minutes run time!

- I agree that even if a little impact is made by this show or 1% people become more aware and watch their ways then it's pure win for Aamir and his team. Still, I can't help but think how much potential this show had!! It would be disappointing to me as a viewer, that this show is praised only for good use of star power and media. Its team should have exploited their potential to the fullest, in the best possible way (and that does not only mean, bombarding all available media outlets!).

- Honestly if you ask me, I think Aamir's a better storyteller than a TV producer or host. He would have managed more impact had he made a series of telefilms or perhaps a fictional serial which took up issues every week. If SJ is to continue the downward spiral from episode 2 and 3 then it's a disappointment.

I agree Aamir should have dedicated atleast 30mins on dramatizing these social evils in a fictional plot and spend rest of 60mins highlighting the three steps- root cause-current situation-need of the hour.

Where this show is struggling is providing the correct narration to the issues.Still a gallant effort from SJ team and Aamir, in particular, his drive to reach as many people is very commendable.

I see the 1st season more of a prototype , identification and an experiment but what I m more interested is to see how quickly they come up wid the second season , coz v all know how fickle is the attention span of the viewers.Aamir can handle production if he is busy and can let sum1 else anchor it.

I blame the media too for some extend , I mean you have prominent journos like Barkha dutt, rajdeep etc goin on twitter about how SJ is recycling the guests from their show and much more, rather these news channels should run a 12 sec add free of cost on various social issues.

I would like the show to flash the helpline numbers , the prevelant laws constantly while the show is on air like in that breaking news strip format , atleast the viewers would reember the most improtnat info easily. And please no more Sridevi and other clebs atleast not those who cannot even emote or speak passionately on any issue.

Lastly big thanks to Star channel , I mean who would have thought the typical saas bahu trp driven channel being a catalyst for beginnning of any change in our sociaety.Kudos!