Doctor G Hindi Movie
In Anubhuti Kashyap's Doctor G, Ayushmann Khurrana plays Uday Gupta, an MBBS graduate who wants to do PG in orthopaedics but only gets admission for gynecology. For a lack of options, Uday goes to a government medical college in Bihar for his PG as the only gynecologist in a female-dominated department. In one scene, a frustrated Uday tells a college mate how he can treat something he does not have.
It is true that the male gynecologist population is a minority, and that some women prefer female gynecologists to their male counterparts. But the reality of the situation is not as grim as the movie shows. The film shows it as a way of emphasising the notion that Uday is the odd one out here. It is an easy way of gaining our sympathy for the protagonist.
The first half of Doctor G shows how Uday comes to terms with his new vocation. His medical college seniors make fun of him for being the only male doctor in a female-centric department. His HOD, played by Shefali Shah, tells him to be more dedicated to his work and not spoil a seat. Whenever a woman character humiliates Uday, an 'Uday versus Streerog Vibhaag' scorecard appears on screen to underline the level of insult he faced.
If the first half of the film seems dumb, it is intentional. You realize that the movie is not as dumb as it appears when a character questions the logic in describing the Gynecology Department as Streerog Vibhaag. He asks whether being a woman is a disease.
The second half of the film becomes a lot more interesting thanks to the new directions that the plot takes. There is no big moral lesson here as a takeaway. There are no major moments of mansplaining. The movie does not sermonize, either, although many dialogues at the start may make it seem a bit preachy. The arc of Ayushmann Khurrana's character also does not seem typical of a coming-of-age film. It is a lot less conventional than your average Hindi film, and the writers deserve much credit for the nuances in the role.
Now, please do not set your expectations too high, though, for Doctor G is only a breezy film with its fair share of flaws. There are some easy resolutions here to seemingly complex issues. Nevertheless, the movie benefits greatly from the performances of all the actors. Shefali Shah is terrific as Uday's intimidating department head. Sheeba Chaddha is a hoot as Uday's mother. Rakul Preet Singh is lovely as Uday's senior in college. Ayushmann Khurrana is earnest even as he delivers clumsy lines. His performance papers over the cracks, which is fine because the movie is entertaining enough.
MOVIE REVIEWS