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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Healing Beyond the Clinic

Dr Kirti Samudra “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” This thought by Mother Teresa finds reflection in the life of Panvel-based diabetologist Dr Kirti Samudra, who has spent decades caring not only for her family but also thousands of patients who see her as their guide. As we mark International Women’s Day, stories like hers remind us that women of substance often shape society quietly through compassion, resilience and dedication. Doctor, mother, homemaker,...

Healing Beyond the Clinic

Dr Kirti Samudra “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” This thought by Mother Teresa finds reflection in the life of Panvel-based diabetologist Dr Kirti Samudra, who has spent decades caring not only for her family but also thousands of patients who see her as their guide. As we mark International Women’s Day, stories like hers remind us that women of substance often shape society quietly through compassion, resilience and dedication. Doctor, mother, homemaker, mentor and philanthropist — Dr Samudra has balanced many roles with commitment. While she manages a busy medical practice, her deeper calling has always been service. For her, medicine is not merely a profession but a responsibility towards the people who depend on her guidance. Nagpur to Panvel Born and raised in Nagpur, Dr Samudra completed her medical education there before moving to Mumbai in search of better opportunities. The early years were challenging. With determination, she and her husband Girish Samudra, an entrepreneur involved in underwater pipeline projects, chose to build their life in Panvel. At a time when the town was still developing and healthcare awareness was limited, she decided to make it both her workplace and home. What began with modest resources gradually grew into a trusted medical practice built on long-standing relationships with patients. Fighting Diabetes Recognising the growing threat of diabetes, Dr Samudra dedicated her career to treating and educating patients about the disease. Over the years, she has registered nearly 30,000 patients from Panvel and nearby areas. Yet she believes treatment alone is not enough. “Diabetes is a lifelong disease. Medicines are important, but patient education is equally critical. If people understand the condition, they can manage it better and prevent complications,” she says. For more than 27 years, she has organised an Annual Patients’ Education Programme, offering diagnostic tests at concessional rates and sessions on lifestyle management. Family, Practice With her husband frequently travelling for business, much of the responsibility of raising their two children fell on Dr Samudra. Instead of expanding her practice aggressively, she kept it close to home and adjusted her OPD timings around her children’s schedules. “It was not easy,” she recalls, “but I wanted to fulfil my responsibilities as a mother while continuing to serve my patients.” Beyond Medicine Today, Dr Samudra also devotes time to social initiatives through the Bharat Vikas Parishad, where she serves as Regional Head. Her projects include  Plastic Mukta Vasundhara , which promotes reduced use of single-use plastic, and  Sainik Ho Tumchyasathi , an initiative that sends Diwali  faral  (snack hamper) to Indian soldiers posted at the borders. Last year alone, 15,000 boxes were sent to troops. Despite decades of service, she measures success not in wealth but in goodwill. “I may not have earned huge money,” she says, “but I have earned immense love and respect from my patients. That is something I will always be grateful for.”

Diwali: The Festival of Lights, Sweets, and Blockbusters

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated across India with immense enthusiasm, signifying the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Streets and homes are decorated with diyas (earthen lamps) and vibrant rangolis, creating an atmosphere brimming with positivity. Families come together, exchanging sweets, wearing new clothes, and performing rituals to welcome prosperity. Diwali is also a time for people to unwind and enjoy, embracing joy and togetherness. For many, this festive season isn’t complete without one more essential element: Bollywood blockbusters.


Over the decades, Bollywood has become an integral part of Diwali celebrations. Big production houses often reserve their biggest releases for the Diwali weekend, drawing moviegoers in droves. This trend began in the era of single-screen theatres, where crowds would queue up hours in advance to watch their favourite stars on the big screen. For Bollywood fans, a Diwali release has traditionally been a must-watch, with films echoing the season’s spirit of joy, love, and hope.


Since the 1990s, Shah Rukh Khan, popularly known as the “King of Bollywood,” has dominated Diwali releases. His movies have become synonymous with the festival. In 1993, Baazigar launched him into superstardom, cementing Diwali as a lucky time for his releases. This was followed by an incredible streak with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Veer-Zaara (2004), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Don (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), and Happy New Year (2014) – all of which were embraced by audiences with open arms. These films became monumental Diwali hits, offering audiences the perfect blend of romance, drama, and music.


But Shah Rukh was not alone in owning the Diwali box office.. comedy franchises like Golmaal and Housefull became consistent Diwali favourites, promising laughter and light-hearted entertainment. The appeal of these Diwali releases lay in their ‘masala’ formula—a mix of romance, action, comedy, and music. Families flocked to theatres, making these films part of their celebrations, and movie houses saw packed halls, with the joyous sounds of clapping and cheering filling the air. Bollywood became an extension of the Diwali festivities, bringing people together for an immersive experience that complemented the festival’s vibrancy.


However, with the rise of streaming platforms, the trend has shifted. Since 2021, Diwali releases have struggled to draw audiences to theatres as strongly as before. Many people now prefer to enjoy the festival from the comfort of their homes, tuning into OTT platforms for entertainment. Despite this shift, filmmakers continue to bet big on Diwali releases, hoping to recreate the magic of past blockbusters. This Diwali, audiences can look forward to Singham Again, a highly anticipated action-packed addition to the successful Singham franchise. Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again boasts a star-studded cast, including Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Jackie Shroff. Known for its unique mix of action and comedy, the Singham series is expected to bring the excitement back to theatres, and it’s set to be one of the most-watched films this Diwali.


Another big release this year is Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, the latest in the horror-comedy franchise that first captured audiences in 2007. With Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 being a resounding success in 2022, there’s significant buzz around this instalment, with audiences eagerly awaiting its spine-chilling and humorous antics. Other releases include Lucky Bhaskar, starring Dulquer Salmaan, which explores the mysterious journey of a banker in the 1980s, and Amaran, a Tamil biopic based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, an Indian Army hero.


As Diwali draws near, moviegoers are eagerly looking forward to this lineup, especially Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. While the cinema-going experience has evolved, the excitement around Bollywood’s Diwali offerings remains a testament to the festival's spirit—a time to celebrate, revel, and share happiness. Diwali, the festival of lights, continues to illuminate the lives of millions, whether through traditional diyas or the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.


(The author is a communication professional. Views personal.)

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