Factual
‘Satyamev Jayate 2’ to kick start soon
MUMBAI: He isn’t the Mr Strategist and Perfectionist of Bollywood for no reason. This time around actor Aamir Khan has made sure that the second season of his TV show – Satyamev Jayate, the shooting of which began recently, remains in the news throughout the year.
The season one of the show highlighted the social evils and also brought to the light the sufferings that people at large go through because of those. While the second edition is again set to bring forth the evils of the Indian society that’s becoming a hindrance in the country’s growth, the actor has devised a plan to give the audience enough time to execute the ideas promoted through the show in reality. The 12-episode show, this time, would be presented in installments – four episodes at the beginning of the year, four mid-year and the last four at the year end.
While the other details are still being worked upon, what has come out is that the season is set to kick start soon with an episode focusing on the plight of rape victims. The episode has already been shot at the Yash Raj Studios and the actor has requested the audience present at the shoot to keep the details to themselves.
The TV audience are set to witness some life-changing incidents, it seems.
DUBLIN: Ireland is betting big on reality television. In a move that has Hollywood scouts scrambling for their passports, Dublin has unveiled Europe’s first tax credit dedicated solely to unscripted programming—think The Traitors rather than Game of Thrones.
The scheme offers producers a juicy 20 per cent rebate on qualifying expenditure, capped at €15 million ($17.5 million) per project. It’s a cultural credit with strings attached: programmes must pass a test proving they genuinely promote Irish and European culture. No word yet on whether Love Island derivatives need apply.
Ireland tánaiste and minister for finance Simon Harris says the incentive will cement Ireland’s reputation as a “centre of excellence” for audiovisual production. His colleague, minister for culture, communications and sport Patrick O’Donovan, insists Ireland has “the talent, creativity and production expertise to lead” in unscripted television. Bold claims for a nation that has spent decades exporting scripted drama.
The timing is canny. Unscripted production costs have soared globally, making Ireland’s existing infrastructure—and now its tax breaks—increasingly attractive. Fox Entertainment Studios already churns out shows like Beat Shazam and The Floor from Irish studios. Whether these American productions will pass the cultural test remains to be seen.
Producers must secure an interim cultural certificate before filming begins, allowing them to claim credits during production rather than waiting until wrap. A final certificate follows completion. The European Commission has blessed the scheme through December 2028.
Minimum thresholds apply: productions must cost at least €250,000, with eligible expenditure above €125,000. Only one season per project can claim relief in any 12-month period, though producers can juggle multiple projects.
Britain, take note. The UK industry has clamoured for similar support for 18 months, but Westminster has dithered. India’s ministry of information and broadcasting pay heed. Its incentive scheme for co-productions excludes unscripted television. To what end, no one knows! Ireland, meanwhile, is already rolling out the red carpet—or should that be green?
The message from Dublin is clear: when it comes to backing reality TV, Ireland isn’t messing about. Lights, camera, tax action.
