01072026-LSTL-01.qxd 6/30/2026 11:05 PM Page 1 c m y b ‘WALTON IS A REAL-LIFE HERO’ Olivia Wilde has revealed that actor Walton Goggins once saved her life during a terrifying accident on the set of 2011 film Cowboys & Aliens, calling him a “reallife hero.” Speaking during the Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Wilde recalled, “I had a very bad horse accident, and he saved me.” TRIBUNE It’s a wrap Life Kangana Ranaut has officially completed filming for Queen 2, the sequel to her acclaimed film Queen. She shared the update on Instagram, sharing a glimpse of the wrap-up celebrations with the cast and crew. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 1 JULY 2026 (L-R) Stills from Doctor G, Dear Zindagi, Gram Chikitsalay, Human, Anand & Ek Doctor Ki Maut A DOCTOR & A Mona F or generations, Indian cinema has celebrated heroes who conquered villains, chased justice and saved the day through extraordinary feats. Yet, some of the medium’s most enduring heroes have never thrown a punch or brandished a weapon. They have instead carried stethoscopes and confronted life’s toughest battles with compassion, conviction and quiet resilience. The portrayal of doctors on screens has evolved dramatically over the decades. This Doctor’s Day, we revisit reel doctors who proved that heroism isn’t always loud, it often lies in the simple act of choosing to care. Healing beyond medicine Few doctors in Indian cinema have left a deeper emotional imprint than Dr Bhaskar Banerjee in Anand (1971). Played with remarkable restraint by Amitabh Bachchan, the physician is not defined by medical miracles but by his humanity. His friendship with a terminally ill Anand (Rajesh Khanna) teaches him — and generations of viewers — that a doctor’s role extends beyond curing illness. A hero against the system Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990) exposed the frustrations of scientific innovation in a flawed system. Inspired by the experiences of physician-scientist Dr Subhash Mukhopadhyay, the film follows Dr Dipankar Roy, portrayed with understated brilliance by Pankaj Kapur. His ground-breaking research is met not with recognition but with bureaucracy, professional jealousy and apathy. Healing the mind In Dear Zindagi (2016), Shah Rukh Khan stepped away Compassion is their cape From idealistic healers to deeply human protagonists, the portrayal of doctors in cinema has evolved with the times. This Doctors’ Day, we celebrate the reel-life doctors who have captured our hearts and minds ences, making mental health discussions more accessible at a time when they remained largely stigmatised. Challenging bias with empathy Modern medical dramas increasingly question social attitudes alongside medical practice. Doctor G (2022) does exactly that through Dr Uday Gupta, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, a medical resident specialising in gynaecology. Initially uncomfortable in a field traditionally associated with women, Uday is forced to confront his own biases before learning that empathy matters far more than gender. Helping shape this transformation is Dr Dr. Nandini, portrayed by brilliantly Shefali Shah. When trust is the prescription from the conventional image of the all-knowing doctor to portray Dr Jehangir Khan, an empathetic mental health profession who helps a young cinematographer confront her emotional distress. Rather than offering quick fixes or dramatic breakthroughs, Jug encourages self-reflection, c m y b vulnerability and acceptance through patient conversations and gentle humour. His approach demystified therapy for mainstream Indian audi- Far removed from the hightech hospitals of metropolitan India, Dr Prabhat’s journey in Gram Chikitsalay (2025) unfolds in a rural setting where healthcare extends well beyond clinical expertise. Played by Amol Parashar, the young doctor discovers that winning the confidence of villagers is often as important as writing prescriptions. Limited infrastructure, deeply rooted traditions and scarce resources test his resolve every day. His story shines a light on the realities faced by countless doctors serving rural India. Ambition meets ethics Not every memorable doctor on screen is a conventional hero. Shefali Shah’s Dr Gauri Nath in Human (2022) is among the most morally complex medical characters in recent Indian storytelling. A celebrated neurosurgeon whose ambition blurs ethical boundaries, she becomes central to a gripping exploration of pharmaceutical trials, corporate influence and the abuse of medical power. HEROINE Several Indian actors on screen have a real-life medical background. Aditi Govitrikar is an MBBSqualified doctor, Sai Pallavi has completed her medical degree from Tbilisi State Medical University. Sreeleela, too, holds an MBBS degree, balancing her medical studies with films. Manushi Chhillar also pursued medicine before entering pageantry and later transitioning into cinema.