I’m speaking about Aamir Khan’s show, Satyamev Jayate. I was a little upset with the Hindu’s article yesterday, titled Satyamev Jayate’s Ardh Satya by one Farah Naqvi. Farah has raised a very pertinent question about the show: about the “dangerous authority that only his kind of stardom can muster.” I had a certain admiration for Mr Khan simply because he had refused to give interviews to the media on the allegation (made by him) that the media distorted truths. I thought that Aamir Khan had some principles. I had never watched Mr Khan’s Satyamev Jayate until this morning. I watched it after reading a second article about it in the Hindu today by Kalpana Sharma, a writer whom I like. My wife helped me find the channels which broadcast the programme simultaneously in Hindi and Malayalam.
Having watched the programme’s one episode, I think Farah Naqvi’s allegation is quite right. Aamir Khan looked too authoritative and domineering in the episode I watched today. He seemed too eager to show that he knew more about the matter of sexual abuse of children than the people who are actually working with such children and more than even a person who did a 5-year long research on the topic with the criminals locked up in Tihar Jail for such offences. Aamir Khan appeared like a person who was trying to put up a show rather than a person who wanted to solve a social evil.
I would have supported Mr Khan’s initiative had I not watched the show today. What I watched was only a show. So the Hindu seems far better to me who likes reading. I hope Farah Naqvi and Kalpana Sharma won’t betray my trust in them as Aamir Khan did.
I also hope that Aamir Khan will rise above the need to prove his superiority to the people of India and start serving the people REALLY.
Why don’t really intelligent people get due attention in India? Are we terribly obsessed with film stars and politicians and religious leaders?
Author’s Note: This is the last post before I return to Delhi after a short break from blogging and other normal activities.
Matheikal's Blog 
You didn’t say how high the shrillometer touched.
RE
Yeah Raghuram, the Hindu’s website today shows how many more articles they are adding on this topic. I can understand. I understand the value of Aamir khan in the media. That’s the value I am questioning…
I have still not made up my mind..still waiting and watching…
Perhaps it’s better to wait and watch, Bhavana. I would still like Aamir khan to do it really sincerely and I think he can do it. I wrote this out of a desire to see him do it right.
havnt watched the much talked about show matheikal so am not in a position to make a comment.
Aamir Khan seems to have two intentions which you will notice when and if you watch the show: (1) he wants to do something for the country, (2) he wants to do it in order to build up his image. Building up image is not wrong. But it can be done in a far better way especially when a man like Aamir is involved.
Aamir’s image is already built up to the hieghts. Personally I don’t think that he is doing this show with an aim to highlight himself even more. Maybe there are people who have more knowledge than him in these fields, but would the country really stop in their tracks and listen to someone nobody has heard before on a sunday afternoon? I don’t think so. Entertainment and media is such that people will want to see a reality show if celebrities are involved.
Aamir is doing a really good job. Yesterday’s show was really moving. Hats off to Cinderella and Harish for being so brave to come up on national TV and relieve their past.
Neha, I am not at all against the show or Aamir khan. But I don’t think he is doing a “great job” because I happened to watch the same episode you’re mentioning here. I have all the right feelings for the people involved here. I have the right intentions. But…
That “but” is what bothered me just as the writer in the Hindu said there was a bee in her bonnet… something that doesn’t seem to click… I’m really not able to express it but it’s there in the mind, in the heart.
I love Aamir Khan. I love what he is doing. Yet something within me says there’s something wrong.
Hi
I have not seen the show yet.
In our country the reach of film stars to the masses goes much above entertainment.
If 5 out of 50 people mend their ways hearing the words from a filmstar its a success even if its built purely upon the stardom and if building up of image is additionally done. What matters is end result is what I feel.
Also, any film actor takes some time to feel at ease with a reality show. There is this version of KBC in Tamil getting aired hosted by Surya. Initially he seemed to be out of place but now he smugly fits that role. Its a matter of time I suppose.
Hi
I have not seen the show yet.
In our country the reach of film stars to the masses goes much above entertainment.
If 5 out of 50 people mend their ways hearing the words from a filmstar its a success even if its built purely upon the stardom and if building up of image is additionally done. What matters is end result is what I feel.
Also, any film actor takes some time to feel at ease with a reality show. There is this version of KBC in Tamil getting aired hosted by Surya. Initially he seemed to be out of place but now he smugly fits that role. Its a matter of time I suppose.
Regards
Jaish(http://jaishwrites.blogspot.com)
I agree. I’m most happy to give any amount of time to Aamir Khan. And I really wish and think and hope that he will do it REALLY. I admire anyone who is doing something for OTHERS.
Matheikal, the word is smug.
The issues are there, there are people working on them its only when Aamir Khan talks of it gets authenticated that is the sad part of it. Know another assured fall out, parents the current generation are emotionally children themselves, will become over suspicious and over react to situation giving one more manipulative tool.
three things to be segregated here…the relevance of the show, the facial expressions and dialogues of Amir Khan and the perennially idol worshiping Indian society !
The show has raised relevant agendas, now some may argue that several shows in the past have raise pertinent agendas before but never received the limelight, so my point is who’s mistake is that, is this the mistake of current show or the media and us, we the people those days ! Secondly I dont remember any show which has tried to cover multiple aspects, done good amount of research and then went on to write letters (for what so ever intentions) to the government, so according to me this show does not have a Apple to Apple comparison in the Indian TV history !
I read articles on some blogs, TOI and Hindu etc who raised concerns about the facial expressions of Amir Khan, timing of his dialogues, fake tears etc. According to me, all these are irrelevant, so there’s no point in talking about these mundane issues. Let us NOT miss the forest for the tree ONCE again !!
Lastly, the dearth of intelligent people and news channels in Indian media and for that matter print or internet media ! I think we have a long way to go, its just the beginning. In next 8-10 years I think the current channels, newspapers will be turned upside down !
Matheikal, this show of Amir Khan is a business model for the ‘social sector’. Select emotive social topics, ask people to send SMS and donate to a pre-chosen NGO per show. A Trust headed by Neeta Ambani will match the contribution so collected. Nothing wrong in that, but everything is wrong in the self promotion of the actor in question as the Messiah. In this country of ours that hangs on to every word spoken by a film personality and even votes only such show business personalities as ‘youth icons’, what can really be expected!!
What gives the authority to Amir Khan to call sex-selective abortion as female ‘foeticide’ in visual media, and by implication insinuate that legal medical termination of pregnancy is nothing but killing? The word ‘foeticide’ should be banned as it criminalises a woman’s legitimate and legal right over her body to carry on or not with her pregnancy.
If Amir’s heart really bleeds for neglected girl children, why did he choose to adopt artificial reproductive technology(ART) to have his personal third child, and a son with his second wife instead of at least adopting a baby girl and giving her a home this time? What gets my goat is that the committed NGO are working relentlessly in the area and here comes a know-all Bollywood Actor charlatan claiming that he will make the ‘Government’ realise the gravity of the situation by garnering signatures and SMS votes. Bah Humbug.
BTW, Farah Naqvi is the co-convenor of a working group on declining child sex ratio in the National Advisory Council and if you go to the NAC website, you will find the draft report of that Working Group, not very coherent policy prescriptions in the report, but it is worth a read.
The second episode on child abuse was similar. Nowhere was it mentioned to the public that the Child Helpline 1098 works with 100% funding of the Government of India, Rs 40 crore per annum, to be exact. Selective amnesia. The Bill on child abuse has been already passed in the Lok Sabha and awaits passing in the Rajya Sabha, this very Parliament Session, absolutely without the force of Amir Khan’s appeal or SMS votes. Of course Government is the proverbial punching bag for the masses. Damned if it does, and damned if it doesn’t, either way it gets only brickbats, never the media exposure or the credit in paid channels for any good work, which is reserved for the likes of Amir Khan and may be Neeta Ambani of Mumbai Indians, the monstrosity Antilla and personal aircraft fame.
In a nutshell, I think Amir Khan’s show is a platform for showcasing his ill-hidden political ambition and megalomania and is deliberately designed somewhat like poverty porn of Slumdog Millionnaire genre. Only, it is a Sunday to Sunday show. As soon as the next porn gets aired, the earlier one loses public attention.
every initiative is discouraged, ppl find flaws rather than accepting what they have,, at least he is unveiling some issues which are to be think upon…
Sir, i agree Aamir gets dominating on the show and also cuts short experts opinions. But barring these situations, i believe, the show has helped a lot many people to open up their narrow thoughts. Apart from that it has encouraged people to express the long hidden pain.
Take an example of a fellow blogger, whom i follow, who revealed being a victim of child abuse on his post. If it was not for this show highlighting the importance of sharing, he could havr never emptied his heavy heart.
When some one said the tears are fake, i don’t buy this arguement. I was literally in tears while hearing to what the young lady was narrating. So was my father, who watched this show along with me. I am sure my tears were not fake.
How long are we supposed to miss your posts sir? Have a good break.
Hello,
Really admire the technicality of your blog posts. Here is a little token of appreciation from me…
http://amrutam-nopen.blogspot.com/2012/05/humbled-and-honored.html
Thanks,
Amruta
Hello,
Really admire the technicality of your blog posts. Here is a little token of appreciation from me…
http://amrutam-nopen.blogspot.com/2012/05/humbled-and-honored.html
Thanks,
Amruta
I appreciate the fact that Aamir and his team decided to raise this. Today, India is facing through lot of issues, with increasing populations we are short of good leaders in our country. At least he has given a trigger start. HT should have made a show before, if they feel that he raised less issues and they know more. They too are in media, they sell more entertainment than news too as all other media. I don’t care that who it is Aamir/ Whoever as long as they are bringing up these issues and more many more issues to be raised and keeping audience mind engaged in something doing right with their lives. I don’t expect in 1 hour he gives detailed report…:)
i thought there r two types of ppl..thinkers n doers..well den today i saw another kind “writers”
com’on mr matheikal give em a break..
so wat even if he is doing it for his own image..atleast a guy at his level is doing it na!!
aam sorry to say dis but if guy like you and me wer hosting the show then the show wouldnt have reach to a district level..
show is on a national TV with the highest TRP and it does have a good message not like other saas bahu TV soaps..
we need this.. in our culture in our society..
and the TV guys are tagging it with the one of the biggest brand in india (aamir) to boost it
and about “Why don’t really intelligent people get due attention in India? Are we terribly obsessed with film stars and politicians and religious leaders? ”
well u forgot the cricketers ..here
aam so with you on this
but i believe if it is for a good cause we shudnt bother if it takes a lousy religious leader or a dumb actor or a greedy cricketer..
FIRST LET THE GOOD MESSAGE SLIP UNDER THE SMALLEST DOOR IN INDIA DEN WE CAN START TO BARGAIN WITH IT..
but i guess dat day we wont have to 🙂
Yeah, we are obsessed with celebrities. Aamir may not be doing the best job, but he is doing something good with his celebrity status. I think we can hope that some little change that we all want to see, will come about.
There could be better treatment of the subjects. I agree with that. Maybe we should give him some time. I think this show is a little flame of hope if not anything else.
Female feticide is something we all knew about, but did nothing about. Child sexual abuse told everybody how much hidden evil and pain there was. That workshop was the best part of it – simple and straight. And the one on healthcare really brought about some awareness. I learnt a few things that day. That’s all I’ve watched…have to look up the next one online.
Let’s also hope that Aamir will get better in due course. Healthy criticism of the show (like what you are trying to do here) will help the show and the country. 🙂