Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata Movie Review: A Tense Thriller Rooted in Humanity and Hope
Based on true events, the thriller follows the nurses of Cama Hospital who saved the lives of 400 people during the horrific 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
Every tragedy has unsung heroes whose courage and selflessness become crucial in saving lives. In writer-director Manoj Tapadia’s film, those sheroes are the nurses of Cama Hospital, who risked their own lives to protect around 400 people, including expectant mothers, premature newborns, and critically ill patients. The movie also highlights the lack of recognition they often face. Positioned lower in the medical hierarchy, nurses are frequently overlooked despite being indispensable to patient care.
The film opens with Geeta Madhav Gandhare (Kangana Ranaut) identifying Kasab as one of the terrorists involved in the attacks. While her family worries about the consequences of her decision, Inspector Kamble (Sayajirao Shinde) reminds her of security guard Zambre (Vijay Gokhale) sacrificing his life that day.
The story then shifts into a flashback, introducing the nursing staff and their daily struggles with bureaucracy, demanding seniors, and difficult patients. Despite all this, it is delightful to see the kind and fun-loving nurses sticking by each other and dealing with their predicament with humour. The first 45 minutes are dedicated to the world of the hospital and the nurses and are packed with humour, along with a glimpse of their personal lives, where even their family members belittle their rank in the medical profession.
While this keeps the audience entertained and engaged, the real thrill begins when the terrorists enter the hospital. The narrative then effectively portrays the nurses’ bravura and teamwork to handle an impossibly perilous situation. The tense moments of the attack, and how the nurses protect their patients and other people who have taken refuge in the hospital, keep one on the edge of one's seat. The main theme is the cost and dignity of human life. For instance, the life of a newborn with HIV deserves as much protection as anyone else’s, which is why they refuse to leave the baby to die to prioritise their own and others’ safety.
Although Kangana Ranaut is the lead character as Geeta, the other nurses get ample screen time to showcase their talent, including their backstories. The camaraderie between them comes through. Ranaut shines as Geeta, and though her Maharashtrian accent is initially inconsistent, she gets a good grasp of it later. The actress plays her role with restraint, sidestepping overdramatic bravery. Smita Tambe Dwivedi as Trupti Takle, Girija Oak Godbole as Sheetal, Rasika Agashe as Mohini, and Esha Dey as Babita are all excellent as the brave nurses.
By shining a light on a lesser-known chapter of 26/11, the film honours the bravery of the Cama Hospital nurses and delivers an emotional, edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Cast and Crew
- Kangana Ranaut as Geeta Madhav Gandhare
- Smita Tambe Dwivedi as Trupti Takle
- Girija Oak Godbole as Sheetal
- Rasika Agashe as Mohini
- Esha Dey as Babita
- Sayajirao Shinde as Inspector Kamble
- Vijay Gokhale as Zambre
- Manoj Tapadia as Director and Writer
Critic's Rating: 3.5/5
The film has received a Critic's Rating of 3.5, with users also rating it 3.5. It is a must-watch for those who appreciate stories of unsung heroes and edge-of-the-seat thrillers.
