Whatever Aamir Khan touches, turns to gold. This proved right one more time with critics and commoners showering praises on his TV show Satyamev Jayate as the first episode on female foeticide was aired on May 6, 2012.

Sreya Basu catches up with the actor-producer on why he turned to small screen

The very first episode has declared Satyamev Jayate as a huge hit. How do you feel now?
I don't know about people's response. But this much I can say that I have got a huge opportunity to learn about life through this show.

In the last two years, I have travelled across India and met people from all places. May be I could have never faced them had I not agreed to do this TV show.

How much are you emotionally attached to the woes of commoners on the show?
There were incidents that were very hurtful to heart. There were many instances where I felt like crying...in fact, I cried.

I cry very easily. Again, there were people meeting whom made me so happy that I cried even more.

What has it been like shooting for the show?
When you become a star, a celebrity, it becomes difficult to roam around freely and meet people. In a way, you get detached from people. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with people and meet them at a close level.

There are so many inspirational people in our country, that too at the grassroots level.

In a true sense, Satyamav Jayate has been a journey for life for me...it has been an enriching experience. This journey made Aamir aamir (rich) in real sense.

What are your expectations from the show?
I don't care about TRPs (Television Rating Points). I want to reach people's hearts via this show because unless something reaches your heart tab tak baat nehin banti.

But can you actually stay indifferent to TRPs ?
Honestly speaking, I really have no idea about TRPs, how they are calculated. I have tried to connect to as many people I can.

I chose television because it's probably a medium via which I can convey what I have to say. Now it's up to the people whether they will watch the show or switch off the TV.

The theme song played a crucial rule in popularizing the show...
The theme song was a necessity. I believe songs are the best communication links. You can communicate everything with words and discussions.

But if those are communicated via songs and music, it has a different impact...it reaches hearts easily...and the impact remains with you for a longer time. We wanted to give much importance to songs and keep a song in each episode.

Whose idea was it to name the show Satyamev Jayate?
The idea was Udayji's (Shankar) who is the head of Star. Also Satyamev Jayate is the motto of our country.

And here we are trying to search the truth through this show. Let me tell you something, we could not register this name as authorities said no one person can have a copyright on the phrase Satyamev Jayate.

And that made me even happier to know that the name belongs to all Indians.

Official site crashes

Aamir Khan's debut television show "Satyamev Jayate" received such an overwhelming response that its official site crashed within minutes of the end of his programme due to huge traffic.

"Thank you for your overwhelming response to 'Satyamev Jayate'. Unfortunately our servers have crashed due to the traffic, will be back soon," said a messge on its official site, satyamevjayate.in

Social issues fine, but no politics

"I don't have any offer from Rajya Sabha. But I feel wherever I am right now I am very happy. Whatever I am doing in my profession, I am able to make more contribution to my society. May be if I go somewhere else, I can't do so much," Aamir told reporters when he was asked whether he would like to join the Rajya Sabha.

'Satyamev Jayate' top five trends on Twitter

Aamir Khan's maiden episode of his first ever TV show "Satyamev Jayate" fetched rave reviews on Twitter Sunday, occupying the "top five trends" on the social networking site.

Even before Aamir could wrap up the episode, which focused on female foeticide and was aired on Star Plus and Doordarshan from 11 a.m, 2,254 tweets were notched up.

From Bollywood celebs to the person on the street, to activists like Kiran Bedi, all gave the show the thums up.

This is what the Twitterati had to say:

Kiran Bedi: I would give full marks to Aamir Khan's TV Prog 'Satyamev Jayate', very creative, evidence based and emotionally connecting, inspiring! Thank u.


Preity Zinta: Watching Aamir Khan on 'Satyamev Jayate' discussing female foeticide. I love this effort from him and thank him as a woman.

Dia Mirza: I always wanted something like this on TV. Thank you Aamir for stirring people(Sic).

Farhan Akhtar: Satyamev Jayate. A show with a heart.

Shabana Azmi: Aamir Khan's show can bring a revolution. Thoroughly researched, covers all aspects, touches emotional chord n forces us to reexamine ourselves.

Neha Dhupia: Watching Aamir Khan address the unreal problems of real India. I am a fan as always.


Mandira Bedi: A reality show in its truest sense. Some stirring and troubling realities of our times.. I applaud Aamir Khan.

Kabir Bedi: Aamir Khan's 1st episode of 'Satyamev Jayate' exposes killing of baby girls, India's darkest secret. Brilliant.

Mini Mathur: Aamir Khan I am so proud of you. You have put your stature to use in the most straight and compelling way. TV has woken up to a new era.

Kabir Khan: For an hour this morning. Television stopped being the idiot box.

Maria Goretti: An hour well spent watching 'Satyameva Jayate'. Aamir Khan take a bow, poignant issues, heartfelt and emotional content TV never felt as good.