Bhubaneswar: The film industry can emotionally connect with people to raise awareness about organ donation, late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan had once said during a panel discussion.
This is pertinent given that India has one of the lowest figures in the world when it comes to organ donation due to lack of awareness. Therefore, mainstream cinema can educate as well as inspire people when it comes to this noble cause.
On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, which is observed every year on August 13, Odisha Bytes looks at five films that have celebrated this pledge for humanity.
Traffic
Starring Manoj Bajpai, Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta, Traffic is a remake of the 2011 Malayalam film of the same name. Based on a real incident in Chennai, the film’s plot follows the challenges faced by a traffic constable in setting up and transporting a heart over 150 km in heavy rain and poor visibility.
Ship of Theseus
This Anand Gandhi directorial touches upon organ donation through its exploration of the theme of continuity. The film follows the lives of a visually-impaired Egyptian photographer who undergoes a cornea transplant, a monk diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and a stockbroker who receives a new kidney.
Phir Zindagi
Phir Zindagi is a short film written and directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar. It explores the process of organ donation, the protocols and waiting lists. With a stellar cast of actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, it touches on all the nuances of organ donation.
Anuraag
Anuraag is an award-winning film that narrates the story of a blind sculptor who befriends a little boy suffering from terminal cancer. As his dying wish, the boy donates his eyes to the sculptor, who is finally able to see for the first time in her life.
Saaheb
Starring Anil Kapoor and Amrita Singh, Saaheb is the story of a budding footballer who eventually decides to donate his kidney for his family’s sake.
