Doctors Move Delhi HC to Halt 'Suryaa' Over 'Medical Corruption' Portrayal
Doctors move Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the film Suryaa over alleged portrayal of medical corruption and violence against healthcare workers.
The upcoming film SURYAA – Ant Se Aarambh Tak has landed in legal trouble ahead of its scheduled release. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a pre-release scrutiny of the movie and an interim stay on its theatrical debut, which is set for November 20.
The Core of the Controversy
The petition was filed on October 27 by Dr Nachiketa Bhatia, Vice President of the Legal Cell for All India Doctors, and Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of the IMA Junior Doctors Network. The doctors have raised serious alarms over how the film depicts the medical profession, alleging that it paints a generalized and unfair picture of corruption within the healthcare system.
The petitioners specifically pointed to the film's official teaser and trailer, highlighting dialogues that they find offensive and misleading. Among the disputed lines are references to patients being charged Rs. 5 lakh and subjected to 25 tests, as well as a provocative claim stating, “Doctors there don’t write prescriptions… they write commission on slips.”
Concerns Over 'True Events' Claims
Beyond the dialogues, the legal plea takes issue with the promotional marketing of the film. The petitioners argue that slogans such as “Inspired by unbelievable true events” and “Discover the shocking truth of our medical system” are problematic. They contend that such phrasing gives the film an air of factual authenticity, which could mislead the public about the actual functioning of the healthcare system.
Violence Against Healthcare Workers
One of the most critical concerns raised in the PIL is the depiction of physical violence. The petitioners allege that the movie portrays attacks on doctors, nursing staff, and other hospital employees as being "heroic" or "justified."
The plea warns that glamorizing violence against medical professionals could have real-world consequences, potentially endangering healthcare workers and disrupting essential emergency services and patient care.
Legal Grounds and Demands
The petition, titled Dr Nachiketa Bhatia & Anr vs Union of India & Ors, has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution. The respondents in the case include:
- The Union of India (via the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
- The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- MM Moviez (the film's producer)
The plea references Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and cites various Supreme Court judgments regarding freedom of expression and film certification, including those involving KA Abbas and Prakash Jha Productions.
What the Petitioners Want
The doctors have clarified that they are not against legitimate criticism of the healthcare system, nor are they trying to shield medical practitioners from accountability. Instead, they are seeking the following:
- Pre-release Scrutiny: A direction for competent authorities to examine disputed scenes and dialogues.
- Corrective Measures: The modification or deletion of content that violates applicable laws.
- Transparency: Disclosure of the film's current certification status and the action taken on a representation submitted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on October 22.
- Interim Stay: An ad-interim ex parte stay on the release, exhibition, and public screening of the film for a limited period while the content is examined.