Sunny Deol's Suryaa Not Submitted For Certification Amid IMA Row, Confirms CBFC

Sunny Deol treated his fans to the teaser of his upcoming film, Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak, on his birthday. The movie is said to be a Hindi remake of Joju George's Malayalam thriller, Joseph. Weeks before its theatrical release, Suryaa landed in trouble as the makers are yet to submit the film for certification. According to reports, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has clarified that Sunny's movie has not been submitted for certification after the Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, raising concerns over the film's promotional content and its alleged portrayal of the medical profession.

The teaser of Suryaa has the backdrop of a deeply personal loss. The film is about a man carrying the scars of his past before pulling him into a disturbing chain of events connected to the medical system. As per the movie's synopsis, Suryaa starts questioning what others have accepted and uncovers a shocking truth buried beneath a seemingly legitimate system. Due to the involvement of doctors and medical investigation, the IMA expressed serious concern over what it described as the generalisation of corruption within the healthcare sector, the depiction of violence against medical professionals, and the potential impact of such portrayals on public trust and the safety of healthcare workers.

According to their letter, the IMA expressed 'serious concern' regarding the portrayal of the medical profession in Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak. "Its promotional content raises concerns about the generalisation of corruption within healthcare, the depiction of violence against medical professionals, and the potential consequences for public trust and the safety of healthcare workers," the letter read.

The IMA further said the film's promotional content could create the impression that corruption and unethical practices are widespread across the medical fraternity. While acknowledging that individual cases of professional misconduct must be investigated and punished, the association maintained that the actions of a few individuals should not tarnish the reputation of countless honest and dedicated doctors.

The medical association also raised concerns about scenes depicting physical assaults on doctors, nursing staff and other hospital personnel, particularly when such acts appear to be presented as heroic or justified. According to the IMA, such portrayals risk normalising violence against healthcare professionals and could further endanger medical personnel who already face safety challenges in hospitals.

The medical association further pointed out in the letter that scenes depicting physical assaults on doctors, nursing staff, and hospital personnel, particularly when presented as heroic or justified acts, risk normalising violence against those committed to saving lives. "Doctors and healthcare personnel already face serious safety challenges in hospitals. Content that appears to glorify attacks on medical professionals may encourage hostility and further endanger those providing essential healthcare services," the letter read.

The IMA emphasised that it does not support corruption, unethical medical practices or professional misconduct, stating that any wrongdoing should be addressed through appropriate legal and disciplinary action. The association urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to conduct an impartial review of the film's content and its portrayal of the medical profession. It also sought appropriate corrective measures from the filmmakers to address what it described as the generalisation of alleged misconduct and the depiction of violence against healthcare workers.