On National Doctors’ Day, let’s celebrate our healers through the lens of cinema

Come July 1, India takes a collective pause to thank the doctors who keep the country going — not just with stethoscopes and prescriptions, but with resilience, empathy and that quiet courage we often take for granted. National Doctors’ Day isn’t just about honouring a profession; it’s about acknowledging people who, day after day, walk a tightrope between science and soul.And fittingly, this day carries the legacy of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy — a legend in every sense. A brilliant physician, a nation builder and West Bengal’s second Chief Minister, Dr Roy’s life was a blueprint of what selfless service looks like. No surprise he was honoured with the Bharat Ratna.But here’s something beautiful: while real doctors are out there fighting the good fight, Indian cinema has been telling their stories — stories that stay with us long after the credits roll. So, this National Doctors’ Day, why not revisit the ones that made us laugh, cry and think a little harder about what it truly means to heal?The original medical heroLet’s rewind to a time when storytelling itself felt like a public service. V Shantaram’s Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946) isn’t just a movie — it’s a salute. Based on Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis, an Indian doctor who treated Chinese soldiers during World War II, this black-and-white classic captures the very essence of sacrifice. It’s raw, real and far ahead of its time in showing that medicine, in crisis, is often about heart more than hardware.Healing beyond medicineIf you’ve ever choked up at a goodbye you weren’t ready for, Anand (1971) would hit home. Rajesh Khanna’s portrayal of a terminally ill patient and Amitabh Bachchan’s quiet strength as his doctor show us the softer side of medicine — where the real healing isn’t always clinical. Sometimes, it’s a shared laugh. A held hand. A conversation that refuses to end. That’s what Anand gives us: a friendship that blurs the line between doctor and companion.When genius isn’t enoughYou know what’s tough? Doing the right thing and being punished for it. That’s the bitter pill Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990) serves up. Loosely based on Dr Subhash Mukhopadhyay’s pioneering work on India’s first test-tube baby, this one doesn’t pull punches. Pankaj Kapur’s character battles red tape, jealousy and indifference — a stark reminder that sometimes, the system makes it hard for doctors to actually be doctors.Heart over handbookHonestly, Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) didn’t just entertain — it sparked conversations. Sanjay Dutt plays a lovable goon who gatecrashes medical school and, ironically, teaches the professionals a thing or two about healing. “Jadoo ki Jhappi” isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a philosophy. The film cheekily but powerfully questions whether the system has room for compassion or if it’s all just checklists and charts. Spoiler: love still wins.Much needed therapy sessionIn a world that still tiptoes around mental health, Dear Zindagi (2016) walked right in and made itself comfortable. Alia Bhatt’s restless young filmmaker finds clarity through sessions with her therapist, played with disarming charm by Shah Rukh Khan. Their patient-doctor dynamic feels honest, warm and refreshingly stigma-free. It’s not dramatic — it’s ‘gentle’, and that’s what makes it revolutionary.Breaking stereotypesAyushmann Khurrana as a male gynecologist? Sounds like the setup to a joke — but it’s actually a smart, funny and surprisingly moving look at gender roles in medicine. Doctor G (2022) balances humour with a social message, pushing us to question the assumptions we bring to a doctor’s office. Who says empathy wears a particular faceQuick prescriptionNot all doctor stories come in two-hour packages. Streaming platforms have jumped in with some compelling long-form takes on life in scrubs:Doctors – With Sharad Kelkar and Harleen Sethi, this one digs into the emotional strain of hospital life.Laakhon Mein Ek: Season 2 – A rural health camp gone sideways becomes a gripping commentary on medical infrastructure.Dill Mill Gayye – Yes, it’s a little over the top, but it was the heartbeat of a generation raised on TV drama.Dhadkan Zindaggi Kii and Ek Nayi Ummeed – Roshni – Both tackle women’s struggles in a space that’s still fighting for gender parity.Sanjivani and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge – Old-school but iconic, these shows were among the first to romanticize — and humanize — the white coat.One last thoughtDoctors don’t always wear capes — sometimes they wear tired eyes, wrinkled coats and carry silence home after a long shift. On this National Doctors’ Day, maybe the best thing we can do is simply see them. Not just as professionals, but as people — with stories, scars and an endless capacity to care.(With inputs from Dharam Pal)

On National Doctors’ Day, let’s celebrate our healers through the lens of cinema

Yathesht Pratiraj

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