The Big Question: Jessica Lal case held the nation captive for several months and even years. Is the case as relevant today? Have we moved on, or do we still remember the fervor with which the media and public fought to bring justice to the young girl’s memory? Is ‘No one killed Jessica’ relevant or are we digging out a fossil?
Jessica Lal was murdered. We all know that and thanks to the media and the awareness this case created, we know a lot more. Between then and now, what has changed?
Then – Jessica, the victim had her case argued by the media. Major contribution was that of the English news channels and more notably NDTV, where the dissection and follow-up of the case was spearheaded by Barkha Dutt.
Then – Media was an instrument of justice, especially the electronics media. The new India had started to realize the power that media and the common man held. Barkha Dutt was everywhere – wars, social causes, flood-hit areas, scams and Jessica Lal case. While the legal machinery battled it out, it was the media, headed noticeably by Barkha Dutt which kept the case alive and prevented it from being swept under the carpet.
Then – The country was seeing hope. A ray of hope – of justice, freedom of speech and a better society as a whole.
Now – Scams are the order of the day and high profile murder cases get heard every day in courts.
Now – Media is just another piece in the puzzle, today celebs, netas, and the common public is connected via the internet and we now live in a world where the brave journalist has now transformed into a manipulative opportunist. Welcome to the times of twitter where @BDutt receives several hateful tweets every day, thanks to #Barkhagate.
Now – A certain fatigue has set in. There’s the Ruchika case, there’s the Nithari case, there’s the Raja case and the Raju case, there’s … so much. There’s too much and so little time, so the public as well as media suffers from information overload and the attention is divided amongst the many equally deserving candidates.
Will ‘No one killed Jessica’ hit us where it hurts most – at the very core of our beings? Does it have the makings of a Rang De Basanti? Probably not. NOKJ is probably just another movie and the drawing factor would only be the powerhouse talent that is Rani and the emerging wonder-woman that is Vidya and the common connect of a common person fighting against the odds and the high and mighty trying to make sure that the little man doesn’t triumph.
Can the two very beautiful and immensely talented ladies carry the big movie on their shoulders? Well, only time will tell.
