Bhārath Bhāgya Vidhāta - Angels in Uniform

Bhārath Bhāgya Viddhāta

Hindi, 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Director - Manoj Tapadia

Stars - Kangana Ranaut, Girija Oak, Smita Tambe, Esha Dey

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I write these words with gratitude, because the gratitude that a transplant survivor feels for the nursing verges on pure adoration. While doctors treat, nurses heal, some with pragmatic certainty, others with a deep empathy. But all very much care, offering vital care to a person whom most know for a few days at most. 

In November, 2008, the nurses in CARA Hospital in Mumbai brought the ideals of nursing to the brink of madness, as two bloodthirsty  terrorists, equipped with AK  47s, made their way through the darkened hallways of the 367 bed facility with the intent of killing everyone in sight. 

Keeping the patients out of their cross-hairs became the job of the medical staff, who did so with sheer commitment and utmost empathy.  Since there had been ample warnings, it would have been easy for anyone to have left, but none does. This is more than just job loyalty, this is a sacred bond, something beyond mortal ideas of hours and salary. 

Ms. Kangana takes her lead role to angelic heights. Her mannerisms, clothing, humor and poise show just how good an actor can and should be. As any true nurse, she goes from being a blushful bride to a dutiful government worker to, when needed,  a powerful, all the time that dignity, that screen presence which convinces us of the reality to what otherwise is a most unbelievable story. Her cast of novice actors provide well-rounded support, offering humor and utter fright in most appropriate ways. 

If there is a weakness here, it is in the police, whose heroism tragic deaths feel downplayed, although the execution of their bravery is shown with brutal imagery. Their heroism could not have prevented what happened that night, but it certainly brought it to closure.

 

And as would be expected, healing. And as I have learned over the years, such healing is often just accepting what happened and living with the scars.