Saaksshi

Saaksshi is an Indian crime television series based on the story of an undercover cop Saaksshi Singh in an anti-terrorist squad.^[1] The series premiered on Sony TV on 10 April 2004, and starred known television actress Mauli Ganguly in the main lead.^[2]

Cast

• Mauli Ganguly as Saaksshi Singh
• Samir Soni as Shekhar Gupta
• Amit Sadh as Deepak

Plot

Saaksshi is a story of an Indian middle-class girl who lives with her family with an ordinary lifestyle. Her family consists of one brother, a sister and her parents. Saaksshi's brother is an Army officer who has been missing since his last mission in Kashmir. Saaksshi's mother is seriously disturbed by his absence and always awaits his arrival. Saaksshi, a courageous activist, tries to bond her family in the best possible way. She rescues a Girl being gang raped but it turns out to be a fake presentation for a TV show. A chance encounter with a terrorist and an anti terrorism squad changes the life of Saaksshi. ASTRA - the anti terrorism squad who is being headed by Shekhar played by Sameer Soni asks Saaksshi to join their mission as they feel she has the guts to make a difference to the society. Saaksshi initially rejects the offer but later accepts. Saaksshi has kept her new-found identity a secret to her family. Saaksshi has a lot of confusions in her mind but she fulfills her duty with full honestly. She performs her best on several cases related to terrorism, putting her own life in danger.

Saaksshi's is surprised to learn that her own boss Shekhar is actually a spy and an informer and looking for a data CD to sell information to other spies. Saaksshi is wounded while trying to stop him. Saaksshi is framed and declared a spy. After a heated chase, Saaksshi manages to expose Shekhar and kill him. After the incident, Saaksshi quits ASTRA but the team wants her back. Saaksshi now plans for a normal family life. When she is about to marry, Saaksshi's fiancee is killed on the wedding day and Saaksshi is framed once again. The murder is executed by Shekhar's brother played by Deepraj Rana who has arrived to take revenge for Shekhar's death. Saaksshi manages to find out about him and breaks out from the jail to settle scores. Saaksshi, who was meant to be a great anti terrorism officer, a good daughter, sister and a perfect bride to be, sees her death as the truck which she was inside is thrown of course by Shekhar's brother.

Shocking End

The Shocking End of the show where Saaksshi has been shown killed by the Villain disappointed its fans a lot. There had been fan mails sent to show a new ending instead of the one being shown On Air. But the show was pulled off due to dipping ratings. The ending didn't materialize as it sent wrong signals to a show started with a good example of female power.

References

1. ↑ Pillai, Sreedhar (31 May 2005). "Saaksshi's success". The Hindu. 
2. ↑ "Sony's 'Saaksshi' poised to lure women eye balls on weekends". Indiantelevision.com. 7 April 2004.