Saas-bahu serial with social punch to hit DD

The serial, to be launched by the Union Health Secretary, P.K. Hota, will be telecast on DD’s National Network. There are plans for repeat telecasts on the eight Hindi regional channels in states with low sex ratio.

The completed episodes telecast as a pilot last year brought about behavioural and attitudinal changes, according to a Health Ministry survey. The Ministry hopes the serial will get the message across. ‘‘Independent assessment has shown that the serial was very effective,’’ said Hota. The serial is based on a short film of the same name screened at the International Independent Film and Video Festival in New York early this year. Atmaja was produced by an NGO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The film won film-maker Nila Madhab Panda prestigious awards like the United Nations Visual Media Award and the Heroism in Cinematography Award of the international organisation, Hunger Project.

‘‘The movie’s success led to making of the serial. The first 13 episodes shown last year have been a great success. Evaluation studies done by the Centre for Advocacy and Research with the Health Ministry have shown that it brought about an attitudinal change,’’ said Panda.

The episodes already shot look at the laws surrounding pre-natal diagnostic tests, gender, poverty, anti-dowry laws, and violence against women. The message has been woven into the story of Mamta, played by Mansi Salve of Saarth, Son Pari, Ashirvaad fame. The other female lead is played by Jayshree Joshi.