New Delhi : HL October 23, 2026
Sunny Deol’s upcoming film Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak has sparked debate over the portrayal of doctors and violence against healthcare professionals. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA), AIIMS New Delhi, has strongly condemned the film’s teaser, alleging that it depicts physical assaults on medical personnel and includes dialogues justifying such acts.
In its press release, AIIMS RDA urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the filmmakers to address these concerns. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also raised objections to the film’s portrayal of doctors and alleged generalisation of corruption.
The controversy has prompted concerns from Dr. Amarinder Singh Malhi, President of the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS), New Delhi, and Associate Professor in the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology at AIIMS New Delhi; Prof. Dr. Om Prakash of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS); Dr. Neeraj Azad Yadav, National President of the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA); and Dr. Mehul K, President of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), AIIMS New Delhi. They have emphasised the need to protect healthcare workers, strengthen legal safeguards and maintain public trust in the medical profession.
FAIMS President Dr Amarinder Singh Malhi calls for a Central Protection Act
Dr Amarinder Singh Malhi, President of the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS), stressed the need for effective legislation to protect healthcare professionals.
“Violence against doctors and healthcare professionals is completely unacceptable. Doctors dedicate their lives to saving others, and they must be able to work in an environment free from fear, intimidation and violence,” he said.
Recalling the efforts made during his tenure as RDA president in 2019, Dr Malhi said a Central Protection Bill for healthcare professionals had been drafted and advocated for. He urged the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Health Minister to ensure that the bill is taken up during the forthcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
He emphasised that strong legal deterrence, swift action against perpetrators and effective hospital security are essential to protect healthcare workers and ensure uninterrupted patient care.
FORDA President Dr Neeraj Azad Yadav stresses patient-doctor trust
Dr Neeraj Azad Yadav, National President of the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA), said the controversy should encourage serious discussion about doctors’ safety without creating mistrust towards the entire medical fraternity.
“Doctors are not adversaries of patients; they are partners in their fight against disease. Every patient deserves quality treatment, and every doctor deserves a safe working environment,” he said.
Dr Yadav added that medical complications and treatment-related disputes must be addressed through dialogue and due process, not violence. He called for better hospital security, effective laws and accountability.
Prof. Dr Om Prakash of IHBAS warns against normalising aggression
Prof. Dr Om Prakash of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) highlighted how negative portrayals of doctors can influence public attitudes.
“When something goes wrong in a hospital, anger turns quickly towards the doctors. Films that show attacks on doctors or staff as justified, or treat the whole profession as corrupt, make that anger feel more acceptable,” he said.
He stressed that individual wrongdoing must be addressed without blaming the entire profession.
“Plenty of young doctors already hesitate about certain postings because of the risk. Stories that normalise aggression against them can push more of them away without fixing the real problems,” he said.
Dr Om Prakash added that healthcare failures can be discussed openly without presenting violence as the solution.
AIIMS RDA strongly condemns ‘Suryaa’ teaser
In its official statement, the AIIMS RDA warned that commercial cinema can influence public perceptions and social behaviour, particularly when violence against healthcare professionals is presented as an acceptable response to medical distress.
The association stated that sensationalised depictions of assault could misguide the public and aggravate concerns surrounding violence against healthcare workers across the country.
“Normalizing or glorifying vigilante justice and physical assault against doctors in commercial cinema sends a highly dangerous message to the general public,” the association said in its press release.
The RDA urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the filmmakers to address its concerns and ensure that media content does not incite or condone violence against medical professionals.
The statement was issued in the public interest by the Resident Doctors Association, AIIMS New Delhi. Dr Mehul K is identified as the association’s president, while Dr Naman Hurria and Dr Abin SM are listed as vice presidents. Dr Aditya PS Chauhan is identified as general secretary.
Accountability without violence
The controversy underscores the need to balance patients’ rights with the safety of healthcare workers. Medical negligence and corruption must be investigated, and proven misconduct must have consequences. At the same time, threats and physical attacks against doctors and hospital staff cannot be accepted.
Cinema can examine healthcare failures, but the manner in which violence is portrayed matters. Strong legal safeguards, transparent grievance-redressal systems and effective hospital security are essential to building trust.
The message from the medical community is clear: demand accountability, protect patients and ensure that doctors can treat them without fear. Violence must never become the answer to healthcare failures.
