Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK ;  June 8: Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has sparked discussion with her remarks on the nursing profession, describing it as one of the most “sexualised” professions in society while emphasizing that nurses remain underappreciated despite their vital role in healthcare. Her comments came during the promotion of her upcoming film Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, in which she portrays a nurse working at Mumbai’s Cama Hospital during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. 

The profession, Kangana said there is an urgent need to change the way society views nurses. According to her, nurses are often underpaid, overworked, and subjected to stereotypes despite being among the most important frontline healthcare workers. She argued that their contribution to patient care and hospital operations frequently goes unnoticed and that they do not receive the level of respect they deserve. 

The actress also referred to a dialogue that was originally intended to be part of the film, saying it reflected the casual and dismissive attitudes that nurses often encounter. She stated that many healthcare support workers, including nurses, ward staff, and cleaners, perform essential duties that are rarely acknowledged by society even though hospitals rely heavily on their work. 

Kangana further expressed her views on nurses’ uniforms, claiming that the current design still carries strong influences from the British colonial era. She noted that while doctors generally have greater flexibility in what they wear beneath their medical coats, nurses continue to follow a traditional dress code regardless of weather conditions. In her opinion, the uniform projects a “foreign look” and could be modernized to better reflect Indian identity and the preferences of nurses themselves. 

The same time, Kangana clarified that her comments were not intended to disrespect the nursing uniform or the values associated with it. She stressed that the dignity of a uniform comes from the responsibility and service it represents rather than its appearance. However, she maintained that discussions about reforming and “Indianising” the uniform could be worthwhile, provided nurses are consulted about what they would find most comfortable and practical in their daily work. 

The remarks are linked closely to her role in Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, a film inspired by the real-life courage displayed by the staff of Mumbai’s Cama Hospital during the 26/11 terror attacks. Kangana said she hopes the film encourages audiences to look at nurses and other frontline healthcare workers with greater appreciation and respect.