Small screen, big impact

KOCHI: After all the hype and hoopla, Aamir Khan’s much-awaited chat show, 'Satyamev Jayate' hit the small screen on Sunday at 11am. And as it turned out, it did connect with people residing far and wide. The first episode which discussed female foeticide revealed several shocking facts. Even before the programme ended, social networking sites were abuzz with excitement, raving about the show. ‘Satyamev Jayate’ was aired on Star Plus and at the same time was telecast on Doordarshan and several other regional channels. In Kerala, Star’s tie up is with Asianet. In keeping with Aamir’s demand that audiences must watch the show in the language of their comfort ie mother tongue, the programme has been dubbed in the regional language. City Express finds out how audiences in Kerala reacted to the show.Most felt that the show is sensible and heart-felt. Aamir’s soft and simple performance also touched the emotional chords of the viewers. “I loved the show and the way Aamir presented was touching,” says Ashwini Subramanian, a content developer. “Compared to other reality shows anchored by superstars, 'Satyamev Jayate' is different,” adds Ashwini. Although Aamir insists that the show is not intended to reap moolah, many believe there is a fair bit of commercial intent involved. Aditya Menon, a marketing manager says, “The show invites smses from audience asking whether to pass a bill in the Rajasthan government or not. That is aimed to make money. I do not see why this option should be sent as an sms when it is clear that the audience answer would definitely be a yes. Yet, unlike other reality and chat shows ‘Satyamev Jayate’ charges ` 1 for a sms which is intended for charity. “Though at the end of the day it is a business strategy but I am glad to hear that the money from the sms is used for a good cause,” says Ashwini. The official website of the show crashed following a flood of feedback from the viewers. Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook were out flowing with comments from celebrities and others. Some people were also of the opinion that the sole reason for people watching ‘Satyamev Jayate’ is Aamir Khan. “Aamir has great star value. I watched the show mainly because of him. I admire his versatility and am also looking forward to the rest of the episodes to know what issues the show will tackle,” says Dhanya Varghese, a college student.The assistant PR of Asianet Telecommunications, Reju Chandran says, “It is true that the success of the show is because of Aamir Khan himself. Though the official TAM reports will be coming by next Wednesday, I am sure that the programme has broken all records. We are getting a very good responses from the audience.” Regional channels have never received such an enthusiastic response for a dubbed show ever, which is why they are thrilled.  “For any dubbed show there are risks involved as we do not know how the audience will receive it. We had aired a dubbed version of a dance reality show but it turned out to be a disaster. But ‘Satyamev Jayate’ fetched very positive feedback,” adds Rejo Chandran. Binoy S, a copywriter who watched the show in Malayalam says, “Though dubbing was not upto the mark, the show was a different one. I also felt that the crying part from the audience side could have been avoided.” Ask Rejo why  dubbed versions normally fail to attract audiences, and he says, “It is hard to dub any show in the regional tongue. One aims to maintain language fluency but often there are limitations. It is not possible to get the exact words of Hindi in Malayalam. And for the show to connect, it should be able to  transfer the exact emotions to the audience. Generally, we have low expectations from our dubbed shows, but as Aamir’s show is not based on entertainment and is completely on issues, the language issue is secondary. The issues dealt are common for all and hence everyone connects to it very well.”Deepika S, mother of two says, “The intention of the show is good. But I felt there should be more energy in regard to the overall approach of the programme. Somewhere it felt dry. I felt like I was seeing a documentary. But the research work is excellent. Content wise, it is too good.”Priyanka Nath, a media personnel feels that the show has not introduced anything new. “We have seen many shows in Malayalam channels itself which are based on the real problems of the people. So I felt the concept of the show is not innovative. However, because the anchor is a super star, the issues discussed are getting national importance and are being talked in the media.”