The Courageous Journey of a Young Girl Fighting for Her Community’s Freedom

MUMBAI: Mumbai, 5th September 2024: Picture this: a newborn baby, barely a day old, with tiny fingers dipped in ink, their prints stamped into police records — labeled a criminal before they've even uttered their first cry. Hard to imagine, right? Yet, this is the grim reality faced by the Chitta community, where a child's fate is marked even before they’ve had a chance to begin their life.
Drawing on audience insights from its innovative audience feedback initiative - Hamara Parivar, Zee TV breaks away from traditional storytelling moulds and transports viewers into a world rarely depicted on television, shining a light on an age-old system that continues to oppress the underprivileged. Jagriti - Ek Nayi Subah, set in the fictional town of Mokshgarh in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district, delves into the deep-rooted systemic injustice that has condemned the Chitta community to a life of perpetual marginalization. Here, children are branded as criminals from birth, denied access to education, forced into hunting, and exploited by feudal lords who control the region with an iron fist.

Produced by Guroudev Bhalla Productions, Jagriti - Ek Nayi Subah follows the courageous journey of 7-year-old Jagriti, a spirited young girl born into the Chitta community, who refuses to blindly accept the cruel fate imposed on her. Sharp-minded, hopeful, and resilient, Jagriti becomes the voice that questions the unfair branding of her people as criminals. With piercing eyes and boundless energy, she dreams of a future free from the shackles of this unjust system. Her relentless curiosity and unwavering sense of justice often land her in trouble, as she refuses to accept the norms that others have long resigned themselves to. Through her innocent yet powerful questions, Jagriti ignites a spark that will lead to a spirited struggle for the dignity and rights of her community. Young Asmi Deo is strikingly impressive as Jagriti and has been noticed ever since the show’s promo has hit air!

In a never-seen-before avatar, Arya Babbar returns to television after an eight-year hiatus, portraying Kalikant Thakur — the wealthiest and most powerful man in the village. Cruel, corrupt, and deeply misogynistic, Kalikant bribes the local police and forest officials to ensure his illegal operations run smoothly. Whenever his smuggling consignments are intercepted by the authorities, an innocent man from the Chitta community is framed to take the fall. Kalikant's authoritarian rule and ruthless exploitation of the community underscore the dark and oppressive world that Jagriti is determined to challenge.

Mangesh Kulkarni, Chief Channel Officer, Zee TV, said, “Having actively listened to our viewers via our innovative audience feedback mechanism – ‘Hamara Parivar’, we are taking them into a very different world rarely seen on television with our upcoming show Jagriti - Ek Nayi Subah. The story strikes at the heart of systemic injustice through the lens of a young child belonging to an oppressed community branded as criminals at birth. Her innocent questions demanding only her basic rights will tug at viewers’ heartstrings, making them root for her. As Jagriti gradually evolves into a powerful voice of resistance, the show invites viewers to join her on a journey of hope, empowerment, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. With a gripping storyline and standout performances, the show adds an interesting new flavour to Zee TV's vibrant content mix.”

Producer Guroudev Bhalla said, “I’m thrilled to team up with the team at Zee TV yet again on Jagriti - Ek Nayi Subah. This gripping narrative delves into a world where a community is unjustly labeled as criminals from birth. Deprived of education and oppressed under Kalikant Thakur’s tyranny, the Chitta people face systemic discrimination. To bring their plight to light, we have some really strong actors on board and they’re packing in impressive performances. If the show sparks conversations about social inequality and its lasting impact on real lives, we will feel truly validated.”

Aarya Babbar said, “I’m excited to return to television with Jagriti: Ek Nayi Subah after an eight-year break. Working with this talented team has been a joy. I deeply immersed myself in my role, perfecting the dialect and body language. Playing Kalikant Thakur has been my most complex and compelling negative role yet. I’m eager for audiences to experience our powerful story.”

Asmi Deo said, “Playing Jagriti has been a dream come true. This show stands out, and working with such a talented team has been a rewarding challenge. Jagriti is a girl of my age, but to see her being deprived of all the rights that I enjoy; makes me understand the unfortunate social discrimination in our society. It makes me value the opportunities that education provides. I’ve poured my heart into my character and can’t wait for everyone to see the magic we’ve created.”

Join Jagriti on her quest for justice as Jagriti - Ek Nayi Subah premieres on 16th September, airing every day at 8:30 PM, only on Zee TV