The word "Chunauti" literally means Challenge. This serial title refers to the challenge of eliminating drug-abuse, which is shown in a very realistic and appealing manner in this serial.
Chunauti was aired on Delhi Doorshan (the Indian National Channel) and only channel available at that time in absence of cable television in late 1980s and quickly became the favorite of all. Not because of little choice available with viewers, but because it was about college life, and problems being faced by students at that point of time.
Serials about student life are amongst my favorites because these remind of those carefree days where we had dreams of our own, and nothing to worry about. Chunauti beautifully showed the college life, the boring lecturers, the college canteen, the ragging of the new comers and the hostel life. Togather with that, it focused on a very serious problem which was catching everyones attentions these days. Drug abuse had slowly and steadily spread in the country, and people were starting to realize that. It beautifully captured the circumstances in which youngsters take to drugs, and how it devastates their lives. But, it also showed a light of hope. It showed how with people's support the drug addicts can give up this habit and live a normal life.
All in all, a challenge well fought and won!
