Jasoos Vijay is an Indian detective mystery TV series produced by
BBC World Service Trust
BBC Media Action, formerly known as the BBC World Service Trust, is the BBC's international development charity, funded independently by external grants and voluntary contributions. The purpose of the organisation is to use media and communicati ...
in collaboration with
Doordarshan
Doordarshan (), abbreviated as DD, is India's State-owned enterprise, state-owned public broadcasting, public television broadcaster. Established by the Government of India on 15 September 1959, it is owned by the Ministry of Information and B ...
and
National AIDS Control Organisation
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), established in 1992, is a division of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to the HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Soc ...
to spread awareness about
HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
among the masses in India.
It premiered on
DD National
DD National (formerly DD1) is an Indian state-owned entertainment television channel, founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is the flagshi ...
in June 2002.
A total of three
seasons
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...
were aired till its end in September 2006.
The series was centered on Vijay, a
private detective
A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI; also known as a private detective, an inquiry agent or informally a private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigat ...
and Gauri, his assistant who later went on to become his wife.
The series was divided into a number of
mini-series
In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...
with each mini-series usually extending to one month and in each mini-series, Vijay solved one case.
[
The show became a huge success and is among the top ten rated television series in India and was one of the three most watched television series during its run.] The weekly viewership of the series reached the level of 15 million during the third season.[ The series was awarded Thriller of the Year at the 2003 ]Indian Telly Awards
The Indian Telly Awards is an annual award for excellence both on-screen and behind-the-scenes of Hindi-language television. Conceptualised and created by Anil Wanvari, the founder, CEO of media and services group, indiantelevision.com, they a ...
.
Cast
* Om Puri
Om Prakash Puri, (18 October 1950 – 6 January 2017) was an Indian actor who appeared in mainstream commercial Hindi films as well as Urdu, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Marathi films, as well as ind ...
as the presenter of the series. At the end of each episode, he addressed the issue of HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
by visiting a rural area and talking to the common people there or by answering the letters of viewers. Viewers were invited to write to him and attempt to nail the culprit before Vijay does. There were prizes for the best answers which would include a chance for the viewer to appear on the show and name his or her suspects.
* Adil Hussain
Khandkar Mohammad Adil Hussain (; born 5 October 1963) is an Indian actor who is known for his work in several Indian independent and mainstream film productions, as well as international cinema, in films such as '' The Reluctant Fundamentali ...
/Farhan Khan as Jasoos Vijay - a private detective
A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI; also known as a private detective, an inquiry agent or informally a private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigat ...
and the main protagonist
A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a ...
of the series. At the end of first season, he was shown as suffering from HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
though it was never disclosed how he became HIV positive.[
* Minha Zamir/Purva Parag as Gauri - assistant and later wife of Vijay. She first appeared in the first episode as the sister of the victim Tara. At the end of the first ]mini-series
In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...
, she became an assistant of Vijay. She later fell in love with him and married him.[
* ]Vaibhav Talwar
Vaibhav Talwar is an Indian model and film actor.
Personal life
He was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. He is into martial arts, and practised taekwondo.
He married Scherezade Shroff, sister of Indian fashion designer Anaita Shroff ...
as Jeet - assistant of Vijay. He appeared in third season during one of the mini-series and later joined Vijay as an assistant. At the end of the series, Vijay assigned him the role of detective and took a retirement.
* Nupur Joshi as Parvati - another assistant of Vijay and love interest of Jeet. She first appeared in the third season and joined Vijay as an assistant. At the end of the third season, she and Jeet fell in love with each other.[
]
Production
In response to the growing number of HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
cases in India, BBC World Service Trust
BBC Media Action, formerly known as the BBC World Service Trust, is the BBC's international development charity, funded independently by external grants and voluntary contributions. The purpose of the organisation is to use media and communicati ...
launched a campaign in 2002 on HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
awareness in collaboration with Doordarshan
Doordarshan (), abbreviated as DD, is India's State-owned enterprise, state-owned public broadcasting, public television broadcaster. Established by the Government of India on 15 September 1959, it is owned by the Ministry of Information and B ...
and National AIDS Control Organization. The campaign focused on creating awareness about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. It included public service advertisement (spots), production and telecast of a detective drama series ''Jasoos Vijay'' and Youth television show ''Haath Se Haath Milaa''.
Doordarshan provided media consultancy and were producers for public service spots and airtime for the spots. NACO gave technical guidance and sponsored the series, whereas BBC bore the production costs. Financial benefits of commercial sponsorship from the serial went to Doordarshan and the rights to software were shared by the three partners.[
During the conceptualisation of the programme, ]Nielsen Company
Nielsen Holdings plc (or Nielsen) is an American media audience measurement firm. Nielsen operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 15,000 people worldwide.
For most of its history, the company was known for its two subsidiarie ...
's data revealed that action
Action may refer to:
* Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person
* Action principles the heart of fundamental physics
* Action (narrative), a literary mode
* Action fiction, a type of genre fiction
* Action game, a genre of video gam ...
or thriller
Thriller may refer to:
* Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television
** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre
Comics
* ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...
genre were the second most popular type of content on general entertainment channels in India. Therefore, it was decided that Vijay will be portrayed as a private detective
A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI; also known as a private detective, an inquiry agent or informally a private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigat ...
and show will have all the ingredients of a Bollywood
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...
-style thriller movie.[ Vijay was shown an HIV positive person but his HIV status was not revealed until the show had become popular so as not to risk rejection of the main character at the outset of broadcasting. Also the way in which he became HIV positive was never disclosed.][ The character was designed for mass audience and therefore was not given a surname.][ He was shown solving crime cases only in rural areas to broaden the appeal of the programme.][ After successful reception of the first season and a huge response by viewers, two more seasons of the series were produced.][
]
Elements of the show
HIV/AIDS Awareness
The central character Vijay was portrayed as HIV positive, allowing the programme to address issues of the care and treatment of those living with the virus, and tackling the stigma and discrimination, as well as awareness and prevention. Key messages about HIV prevention, testing and treatment, as well as stories covering social issues such as dowry and violence against women were also broadcast through the series.
Identify the culprit
At the end of each episode, Om Puri
Om Prakash Puri, (18 October 1950 – 6 January 2017) was an Indian actor who appeared in mainstream commercial Hindi films as well as Urdu, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Marathi films, as well as ind ...
answered the letters of viewers. Viewers were invited to write to him and attempt to nail the culprit before Vijay does. There were prizes for the best answers which would include a chance for the viewer to appear on the show and name his or her suspects.[
]
Seasons
Season 1
The first season consisted of a total of 120 episodes divided into 10 mini-series
In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...
with each mini-series consisting of 12 episodes and spread over one month. The first mini-series was titled ''The Missing Bride'' and its first episode was aired on television in June 2002. The first episode has Jasoos Vijay going to a village in Rajasthan
Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
to investigate the family background of a potential bride Tara. The second mini-series was named ''Kidnapped''.
Due to the increasing popularity of the series, it was dubbed into five more languages: Bengali
Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to:
*something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia
* Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region
* Bengali language, the language they speak
** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
, Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
, Kannada
Kannada () is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, and is additionally a ...
, Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
and Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India
** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language.
* Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...
. The show was also aired in Cambodia
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...
, Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
and parts of Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
in their regional languages.[
]
Season 2
The first episode of the second season was telecast in December 2003. The second season constituted a total of 25 episodes.[ and was dubbed into five more languages: ]Bengali
Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to:
*something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia
* Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region
* Bengali language, the language they speak
** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
, Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
, Kannada
Kannada () is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, and is additionally a ...
, Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
and Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India
** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language.
* Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...
.
Season 3
The first episode of the third season was aired on 4 September 2005.[ The season constituted of a total of 50 episodes. It saw the emergence of two more characters, Jeet and Parvati who later became assistants of Vijay and Gauri.][ Jeet met Vijay when he was solving a case at the ]Surajkund
Surajkund is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century located on Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range in Faridabad city of Haryana state about 8 km (5mi) from South Delhi. Surajkund ( literally 'Lake of the Sun') is an artificial Kund ...
and becomes his assistant. During the third season, Vijay contracted Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...
and was undergoing treatment.[ He goes to Manali with Gauri, Jeet and Parvati to recuperate from his illness but they get involved in solving a case of the lost identity of a girl Shubbhi. As Vijay is ill, Jeet takes the lead in solving the case. The case also involved a ]love triangle
A love triangle is a scenario or circumstance, usually depicted as a rivalry, in which two people are pursuing or involved in a romantic relationship with one person, or in which one person in a romantic relationship with someone is simultaneo ...
between Jeet, Parvati and Shubbhi.[ The third season ended in September 2006.] The last mini-series saw Vijay as critically ill and the culmination of romance between Jeet and Parvati into a relationship. The last episode of the third series was shot at Old Fort. At the end of the last episode, Vijay and Gauri took retirement and handed over the responsibility of solving the cases to Jeet and Parvati.
The third season was dubbed into seven languages: Tamil, Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India
** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language.
* Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...
, Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
, Bengali
Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to:
*something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia
* Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region
* Bengali language, the language they speak
** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
, Oriya, Gujarati
Gujarati may refer to:
* something of, from, or related to Gujarat, a state of India
* Gujarati people, the major ethnic group of Gujarat
* Gujarati language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by them
* Gujarati languages, the Western Indo-Aryan sub- ...
and Assamese.[
]
Reception
The show became a huge success and is among the top ten rated television series in India and was one of the three most watched television series during its run.[ The weekly viewership of the series reached the level of 15 million during the third season.][ Overall, the show was watched by estimated 185 million viewers.][
At the peak of the programme, it received 1,500 letters per month. During the first season, it received 35,000 letters and 12,000 emails][ whereas in the last season, it received a total of 15,000 letters. A website was also created for more information and it received 50-100 emails per month.] The series was awarded Thriller of the Year at the 2003 Indian Telly Awards
The Indian Telly Awards is an annual award for excellence both on-screen and behind-the-scenes of Hindi-language television. Conceptualised and created by Anil Wanvari, the founder, CEO of media and services group, indiantelevision.com, they a ...
.[
After the show went off-air, an end-line survey was conducted in 2007 and it was found that viewers did change in terms of their HIV related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.][ 86 percent of the respondents said they had learnt something new about ]HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
while 32 percent said they had discussed HIV/AIDS with others.
Awards
* Thriller of the Year at the 2003 Indian Telly Awards
The Indian Telly Awards is an annual award for excellence both on-screen and behind-the-scenes of Hindi-language television. Conceptualised and created by Anil Wanvari, the founder, CEO of media and services group, indiantelevision.com, they a ...
.[
]
See also
* List of programs broadcast by DD National
This is a list of original television programming currently and formerly broadcast by DD National.
Current broadcasts Original series
Reruns
*''Anudamini''
*''Chitrahaar''
*''Galli Galli Sim Sim''
*''Rangoli (TV series), Rangoli Vividh Bhart ...
Notes
* Adil Hussain portrayed the role of Vijay in the first and second season while Farhan Khan portrayed it in the third season.
* Minha Zamir portrayed the role of Gauri in the first and second season while in the third season, it was portrayed by Purva Parag.[
]
References
Further reading
* Andrew Skuse, Marie Gillespie & and Gerry Power ''Drama for Development: Cultural translation and social change'' 2011, SAGE Publications
Sage Publishing, formerly SAGE Publications, is an American independent academic publishing company, founded in 1965 in New York City by Sara Miller McCune and now based in the Newbury Park neighborhood of Thousand Oaks, California.
Sage ...
, 324 pp.
* Arvind Singhal & Everett M. Rogers ''Combating AIDS: Communication Strategies in Action'' 2003, SAGE Publications
Sage Publishing, formerly SAGE Publications, is an American independent academic publishing company, founded in 1965 in New York City by Sara Miller McCune and now based in the Newbury Park neighborhood of Thousand Oaks, California.
Sage ...
, 425 pp.
* Esta De Fossard & John Riber ''Writing And Producing For Television And Film'' 2005, SAGE Publications
Sage Publishing, formerly SAGE Publications, is an American independent academic publishing company, founded in 1965 in New York City by Sara Miller McCune and now based in the Newbury Park neighborhood of Thousand Oaks, California.
Sage ...
, 278 pp. {{ISBN, 0761934006
External links
Jasoos Vijay
at Internet Movie Database
IMDb, historically known as the Internet Movie Database, is an online database of information related to films, television series, podcasts, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and biograp ...
DD National original programming
2002 Indian television series debuts
2006 Indian television series endings
HIV/AIDS in television
Detective television series
Indian crime television series
Hindi-language television shows