Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Girija Oak Godbole, Smita Tambe, Suhita Thatte, Asha Shelar, Priya Berde, Esha Dey, Rasika Aghase, Amrutha Namdev, Aditya Mishra, Zahid Khan
Director: Manoj Tapadia
Rating: 3.5/5
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata
Instead of focusing on police officers or commandos, the film shines a spotlight on the nurses of Mumbai’s Cama Hospital who found themselves trapped in unimaginable circumstances when terrorists stormed the city on November 26, 2008. The story follows Geeta Gandhare, played by Kangana, a character inspired by the real-life nurse Anjali Kulthe whose bravery and courage helped save countless lives amid the chaos.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is that it never loses sight of its core purpose. This film is not interested in creating a larger-than-life hero. It is about ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things under immense pressure. These nurses refuse to abandon people who depend on them and in that quest, they just keep fighting what happens along the way.
One could say that despite being the lead, Kangana delivers an intense performance which also feels controlled. Given her screen presence, it would have been easy for the film to revolve entirely around her character but both the actress and the screenplay show admirable restraint. She fits naturally into the role of a nurse forced to overcome fear to protect vulnerable patients.
Kangana channels Geeta’s emotional conflict especially in moments where personal safety clashes with moral responsibility. What impressed me even more was how the film treats its ensemble cast. Girija Oak Godbole, Smita Tambe and Rasika Agashe are not reduced to background characters. Each nurse gets meaningful moments that contribute to the larger story. And this what makes the group’s collective effort feel authentic.
The first half spends time on establishing the hospital environment, the nurses’ daily lives and the challenges they face even before the attack begins. Some can find this portion slightly slow but once the terrorists enter the hospital, the attention span becomes unwavering. From that point onwards, the tension keeps on building. The film uses dark corridors, silent hospital wards and limited lighting to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. There are several sequences that genuinely keep you on toes.
Another thing I liked about the film is that it does not become too loud. Many movies based on real-life tragedies overly focus on heroism but Bharat Bhagya Vidhata stays grounded. Instead, it shows humanity, courage and the emotional impact of the attacks. The nurses continue caring for their patients despite the danger around them and those moments feel more powerful than any act.
That said, the film isn’t perfect. The pacing could also have been tighter in parts. But shortcomings never derail the film because its heart remains in the right place.
Ultimately, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata succeeds because it tells a story that deserves to be remembered. It honours a group of unsung heroes. The film manages to stand apart from other 26/11 narratives over the years.
It may not be groundbreaking but it is emotional and well-intentioned tribute.
You can watch the trailer to decide if this movie deserves your attention. And believe me, it quite does.
