Ayushmann Khurrana as Doctor G: Why is a Bollywood film about a male gynaecologist terrible for women’s health?

Ayushmann Khurrana as Doctor G: Our job entails living in constant fear of making a minor error that could jeopardise the lives of two people. It is about prioritising women’s health as deserving of appropriate expertise. For God’s sake, it’s not about the doctor’s gender. Dr Puneet Bedi, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Apollo Hospital, and Dr Rahul Manchanda, Senior Consultant and Head, Gynae Endoscopy Division, PSRI Hospital, say don’t stereotype us.

What is it about Ayushmann Khurana Dr G that is so disturbing? For starters, it portrays gynaecology as a disposable choice for the brilliant and a necessity for low scorers. Second, it portrays male gynaecologists as potential sexual predators, with a senior doctor advising the protagonist to lose his “male touch.”

A doctor is a healer with a human touch, which has never been questioned.

Thanks to a male gynaecologist, I was born in a complicated situation in which my mother had developed typhoid. My maternal grandmothers and aunts have always had male gynaecologists, entrusting them with their lives. That, too, was when gender sensitivities were not at their peak.

Indeed, such was the devotion that two generations would frequently consult the same gynaecologist. However, male gynaecologists are few and far between today, particularly in the heartland. Due to a societal mindset that disqualifies their talent and views them through the lens of gender and cultural bias.

None of the larger private hospital chains in Delhi prefers a male gynaecologist. Some of those that do have no more than one employee. Dr Puneet Bedi of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi is one such consultant gynaecologist who, he admits, is surviving because of his specialised talent. Which has resulted in a loyal patient base that has grown over the years.

Stereotypes have no place in science.

“Every silly prejudice in the book about gender, medical practise. And the doctor-patient relationship is reinforced by a Bollywood film.” Actually, if you want to know what I’ve been up to as a gynaecologist, I can assure you that the story is incredibly dull.