Dr. Kafeel Khan penned a heartfelt letter to renowned actor Shah Rukh Khan after watching the film “Jawan. In his letter, Dr. Khan expressed his deep appreciation for the movie’s portrayal of the Gorakhpur Encephalitis incident and drew parallels between the film’s narrative and the real-life tragedy.
Dr Kafeel Khan assumes he was the inspiration behind one of the issues raised in Shah Rukh Khan’s new film Jawan. He has now written a letter to the Bollywood star and shown his appreciation to the actor for highlighting the subject.
Sanya Malhotra plays a doctor in Jawan who is falsely blamed for the death of several kids at a hospital when the real culprit was corruption and lack of prompt facilities. Many fans believe her character was loosely based on Dr Kafeel Khan. Despite the doctor’s efforts to procure sufficient oxygen supply for the hospital, 63 kids died of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in 2017 and the Uttar Pradesh government later got him jailed for negligence in his duty.
What Dr. Kafeel Khan has written in the letter
In his letter addressed to ‘honourable actor and film producer Shah Rukh Khan’, Dr Kafeel wrote that he watched Jawan and “felt compelled to convey my deep appreciation for your extraordinary commitment to using cinema as a means to address critical socio-political issues.” He added, “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.
Why he posted the handwritten letter on social media
Dr Kafeel sent a handwritten letter to Shah Rukh but it remained undelivered and he decided to put it on social media. Posting the pictures of the letter, he wrote, “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to obtain your email address, @iamsrk sir. Consequently, I sent the letter by post, but that also showing in transit even after many days. Therefore posting it here.”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to obtain your email address, @iamsrk sir .
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— Dr Kafeel Khan (@drkafeelkhan) October 5, 2023
Who is Dr. Kafeel Khan?
Dr. Kafeel Khan used to work at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in Gorakhpur. He made every effort to alert the authorities to the situation when he learned that the government hospital’s oxygen supply had been turned off because of unpaid fees.
When they were unable to deliver, he was able to buy oxygen on his own dime. However, 63 children died of acute encephalitis syndrome in the interim. Later, the Uttar Pradesh government refuted the claim that there was an oxygen shortage and instead imprisoned Kafeel for neglect of duty.