When it comes to fighting a grave social evil, few Bollywood superstars move from reel to real life with such consummate ease as Aamir Khan.
Just days after Aamir made his much-awaited debut on the television with a reality show “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth Alone Prevails) raising the issue of speedy trial of those guilty of female foeticide, the actor traveled to Jaipur, the capital city of desert state of Rajasthan, met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on May 9, and pressed
for speedy trial of female foeticide cases.
“The Chief Minister has assured me that he will take it forward with the Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice so that a fast track court (to try the cases) is formed,”
the actor told reporters emerging from the meeting with Gehlot.
In the first episode of the reality show that opened to a stupendous audience response, Aamir had invited two journalists from Rajasthan who spoke about their sting
operation to expose doctors involved in female foeticide and how no action was taken against them.
The 47-year-old actor had promised to meet Gehlot with his request to expedite trial in the cases by bringing them under a fast track court.
Gehlot said Aamir’s show was true to its name and he had started a movement, taking up an issue that concerned the entire country.
“The sting operation happened seven to eight years ago but it was Aamir who brought their good work before the country,” added the Chief Minister.
“This issue is of much importance to the people of the country. Looking after the girl child is a vital area,” Aamir said.
Both Aamir and Gehlot congratulated journalists Shripal Shaktawat and Meena Sharma, who had carried out the sting operation for a TV channel, collecting evidence
against the doctors who did the illegal abortions, after testing the gender of the child in the womb with the help of ultrasound machines.
“We need more journalists of this kind in the country,” the actor said.
The subject of female foeticide “touched my heart. I am doing the TV show because my heart said so,” said Aamir who had highlighted the plight of a dyslexic child
through the movie “Taare Zameen Par” some years ago.
However, the actor refuses to view himself as an activist as well. “I’m an entertainer and I cannot talk on just one issue all the time. Entertainment isn’t just
making people laugh. Entertainment is what moves people. I am happy that the first episode of my TV show touched hearts,” according to Aamir.
The actor had earlier featured in short films propagating the causes of not harassing foreign tourists and making them feel welcome, importance of general cleanliness
in civic life, and protection of historical monuments.
Aamir’s reality show on TV turned out to be an instant hit on the social media network with micro-blogging site Twitter recording more than 2,000 tweets within an hour
of the telecast of the first episode on May 6.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi said the reality show can “bring a revolution” while actor-director Farhan Akhtar described it as a “show with a heart”.
It is a little unfortunate that the start of the reality show was not without a tinge of controversy. Well-known singer Palash Sen, who set up the popular band
Euphoria, sent a legal notice to the TV channel and Aamir alleging that the chorus of the reality show’s anthem “Satyamev Jayate” has been lifted from the band’s
decade-old song of the same name.
-With The Daily Star input
