Sandalwood has always been charmed by doctors and the enigma that lies in their profession and the number of films made on this theme in Sandalwood is a proof of that. Films like 'Bandhana' and 'Hombisilu' had swayed so many medical professionals that they have become a cult movies in their own ways, today. However, in the changed times, Sandalwood is bereft of such themed-stories as there seems to be no demand for such 'doctor' roles. Here's a small take on doctors' roles that have enriched Sandalwood.
'Dr Harish'
This role in 'Bandhana' movie changed the career graph of Vishnuvardhan. The movie was based on a novel by Usha Navarthnaram and SV Rajendra Singh Babu had directed it. Although this was a triangular love story, the film showed the medical profession that no other films had explored. Dr Harish loves Dr Nandini played by Suhasini but she marries someone. Although shattered, Dr Harish would do anything for Dr Nandidi. In the end, he dies to save Dr Nandini's child. The movie also explored medical college campus love stories, the rural camp that the medicos attend, and also of operation theatre. Director Babu had handled this 'doctor theme' with a touch of grace.
Take the case of 'Arunaraga' movie where Anant Nag and Geetha wowed the audience with their brilliant performance. The movie directed by KV Jayaram was a super success. Even 'Hombisilu' movie that depicted doctors' romance had become quite famous among medical professionals. Not to leave behind 'Prathijne', 'Shruti Seridaga' where Dr Rajkumar had acted as a doctor. 'Shruti Seridaga' had Dr Rajkumar as Dr Murthy falling in love with two heroines. The plot was intertwined with professional aspects that gave twists and turns till the end. Dr Rajkumar had wowed the audience in 'Prathijne'. In the movie, 'Guru', both Dr Rajkumar and Pandaribai were doctors.
Later in 60s and 70s, actor Sampath was the most popular doctor to in many movies. The soft-spoken and stethoscope-wearing handsome doctor, Sampath was quite a hit among the audience. Senior artistes like HG Somashekhar Rao and Loknath too stand out for their poignant roles as doctors. These artistes had lived up to the way the society perceives a doctor to be with their acting, meaningful dialogues and kind gestures. But 'Shubhamangala', Ashwath was a funny doctor!
In the later days, 'Hridaya Haadithu' directed by MS Rajashekhar was also a hit for its doctor theme. This too was a triangular movie with Ambareesh as 'Dr Prasad' and Bhavya as 'Dr Abhilasha' and Malashri as heart patient. This was a super hit movie. Then came, Suresh Heblikar's 'Prathama Usha Kirana' which introduced the audiences about psychiatrists. Who can forget Srinath's mind-blowing acting as psychiatrist in the critically acclaimed movie 'Manasa Sarovara'. The movie was directed by Puttanna Kanagal. The recent movie, 'Ishtakamya' directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar had Vijay Surya as 'Dr Akarsh' who won critical appreciation for his acting. The movie was based on a novel by 'Dodderi Venkatagiri Rao'.
'Munnabhai MBBS'
Not just doctor-themed movies in Sandalwood, but such themese have become -super-duper movies in other languages too. Sanjay-dutt starrer 'Munnabhai MBBS' movie was a trendsetter of recent times. This movie was remade in Kannada ('Uppi Dada MBBS', Telugu and Tamil too. Other doctor-themed significant movies in Hindi were 'Anand', 'Amar Kahani' (V shantaram), 'Ek Doctor Ki Mauth' (Pankaj Kapoor), 'Apna Aasman' and 'Vikky Donor'.
