Bollywood and Hospitals

Bollywood Films, with the massive melodrama that they portray have played a major role in establishing the mindset of the Indian Public about the medical profession. Invariably, some character in the movie is badly hurt and requires medical intervention.The scene shifts to a hospital where the doctor takes charge. The doctor is usually portrayed to be a grim looking fellow dressed in a white coat.(This is not always the case.Doctors are human just like the rest of us and they do smile!).

Next,the doctor declares an emergency operation after which the family members plead with the doctors to do something following which the doctor looks up to indicate the will of Providence.Or even more dramatic would be the hero pouncing on the doctor threatening him to save his father or else face the consequences.The doctor then enters the double doors of the operation theater.A bulb glows!

Hours,depicted in minutes, pass.The doctor emerges and takes off his gloves.The family rushes forth toward him.”What happened doctor?Is he alright?”, they ask anxiously.The doctor gives a non-committal shrug and informs the family that the patient is out of harms way but he still needs to be monitored.Or even better, that the patient is in a coma.

Well all these things do happen to a certain extent in hospitals but hey, this isn’t the sole scene that one gets to see in a hospital.People do get treated for even nosebleeds in a hospital,not just brain surgery.Speaking of brain surgery, one film has the protagonist suffering from epilepsy and the doctor declares an emergency brain surgery. No sooner is the patient fit than he’s shown walking around with all his hair intact fighting the diabolical rascals who kidnap his queen.Talk about super fast growing hair!Not even a grizzly bear grows hair that fast.

To bust some myths,most patients respect the doctor a lot.There is no red bulb outside the operation theater.The doctor does not walk out the operation theater removing his gloves.(They’re supposed to be smeared with blood, remember?)Brain surgery isn’t the only surgical procedure performed.And remember,hair grows slow.At least mine does.