"Beacon Of Hope": Dr Kafeel Khan Writes Heartfelt Letter To Shah Rukh Khan After 'Jawan' Success
Dr Kafeel Khan has written a heartfelt letter to Shah Rukh Khan after the smashing success of 'Jawan'.
Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi-starrer 'Jawan' released in theatres on September 7, but the movie still continues to win praise for its poignant social and political messaging. For the unversed, the critical theme of corruption within the Indian healthcare system was explored in 'Jawan', and the Atlee-directorial exposed how certain individuals exploit the vulnerabilities of patients and their families.
Many people thought that this track was similar to a real-life incident involving Dr Kafeel Khan. For the uninitiated, pediatrician Kafeel Khan of Gorakhpur’s BRD Medical College and Hospital was arrested after 63 children and 18 adults lost their lives after the hospital allegedly ran out of liquid oxygen. The Uttar Pradesh state government had also dismissed Khan from services.
In 'Jawan', the subplot revolved around the character of Sanya Malhotra, who played Dr Eeram. In the movie, Sanya's character ends up being charged with multiple child deaths. The plot revolved around how the character's hospital ends up running out of oxygen cylinders.
In the latest entertainment, Dr Kafeel Khan has now written a letter to Shah Rukh Khan, thanking him for bringing such a topic to the big screen, calling him a "beacon of hope". The pediatrician said his actual letter is still in transit, and that is why he decided to post it on X (formerly Twitter).
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to obtain your email address, @iamsrk sir .
— Dr Kafeel Khan (@drkafeelkhan) October 5, 2023
Consequently, I sent the letter by post, but that also showing in transit even after many days .Therefore posting it here
To
The Honourable Mr. Shah Rukh Khan
Indian actor and film producer
Mannat,… pic.twitter.com/9OxtzHQJ5M
"I trust this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I recently had the privilege of watching your latest film, "Jawan," and I felt compelled to convey my deep appreciation for your extraordinary commitment to using cinema as a means to address critical socio-political issues. The movie's poignant portrayal of the tragic Gorakhpur Encephalitis incident has left an indelible mark on my heart. As someone who has had a personal connection with the incident and its aftermath, I was profoundly moved by your decision to bring this story to the screen," Dr Kafeel Khan wrote in his letter.
"While I understand that "Jawan" is a work of fiction, the parallels it draws to the Gorakhpur tragedy serve as a powerful reminder of the systemic failures, apathy, and, most importantly, the innocent lives lost. It underscores the urgent need for accountability within our healthcare system .
The character portrayed by @sanyamalhotra07 (as Dr Eeram Khan ) although not directly referencing me, encapsulated the experiences I faced. It was heartening to witness the real culprit of “ The Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy “ got caught , though sadly in real life the real culprits are roaming free , me still struggling to get my job back , and those 63 parents who lost their little ones still waiting for justice," he added.
Further in his letter, Dr Kafeel Khan said, "On a personal note, I would like to share that I have authored a book titled "The Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy," originally published by @panmacmillan and available in more than six languages which provides a comprehensive first hand account of the tragedy and its aftermath. I believe that a part of the movie's plot resonates with the events detailed in my book."
"If given the opportunity, I would be immensely honored to meet you and the talented director @Atlee_dir, as well as other members of the film's crew, to express my gratitude personally. I also want to assure you that my sanctification, devotion, and determination towards serving my countrymen would continue undeterred. Thank you once again for being a beacon of hope. I look forward to your kind reply," he added.
Talking about 'Jawan', the new Hindi movie earned Rs 2 crore on Wednesday, taking the total nett collection across all languages in India to Rs 615.72 crore.
'Jawan' has already become the highest-grossing Hindi movie in India, beating the record of Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel-starrer 'Gadar 2'.
SRK will also be seen in 'Dunki' this year. The movie directed by Rajkumar Hirani, will be releasing on December 22, 2023, going up against Prabhas and Prashanth Neel's 'Salaar'.
