Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended a special screening of the film Bharat Bhagya Vidhata in Bhubaneswar on Friday, 5 June 2026, praising the film for its portrayal of the extraordinary courage of nurses who risked their lives to save others during the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Context

Majhi, writing in Odia on X, described the film as depicting, in his words, 'asadharan sahas o tyagara kahani' — 'an extraordinary story of courage and sacrifice' — of nurses who put their lives on the line during the coordinated terror strikes that struck Mumbai across 26–29 November 2008. The 26/11 attacks, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, killed 166 people and injured over 300, leaving a lasting scar on the national consciousness.

The Chief Minister noted that the film vividly brings to life the selfless service of healthcare workers who are rarely centred in mainstream retellings of the tragedy. His attendance at the special screening signals official state-level endorsement of the film ahead of its wider release.

Policy Backdrop

The screening is consistent with a pattern seen across BJP-governed states, where senior political leaders have attended or publicly endorsed films dramatising episodes of national security crises or individual heroism. Films such as Uri: The Surgical Strike and others centred on counter-terrorism themes have previously received similar institutional attention, blending cultural programming with patriotic messaging.

The film is directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, the Bollywood actress and BJP Member of Parliament from Mandi since 2024, who has built a distinct identity in Hindi cinema through films engaging with nationalist and historical themes. Majhi praised her effort, saying her work in cinema, driven by 'indomitable hard work', deserves commendation.

Stakeholders and Impact

Nursing professionals emerge as a central constituency acknowledged by the film and, by extension, by the Chief Minister's endorsement. Majhi stated that the film carries a message of 'social importance and nationalist thought' and will be 'very helpful in awakening patriotism and a spirit of service among today's youth.'

Youth audiences across Odisha and beyond are the stated target demographic. The Chief Minister's public attendance lends the film visibility in a state where BJP formed its first-ever government following the June 2024 assembly elections, making cultural events of this nature part of a broader effort to consolidate the party's social messaging.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the film's nationwide theatrical release and the reception it receives from both audiences and critics. The Bhubaneswar screening may be the first in a series of state-level special events, particularly in BJP-ruled states, where official endorsements could amplify the film's reach. If the pattern of similar releases holds, further political figures may publicly associate themselves with the film as its release approaches.

For Odisha, the event also underscores Chief Minister Majhi's intent to use cultural platforms to reinforce themes of national service and sacrifice — a signal that the state government will remain an active participant in India's broader conversation between cinema and civic identity.