Despite Munna Bhai M. B. B. S. being ultimately a top-notch comedy, this film eloquently critiques family expectations, societal expectations, and healthcare as a whole.
I have always found it fascinating (and infuriating) how a hierarchy exists in the medical world - even outside with society's views on respecting doctors (the title) and not recognizing the roles of others in the medical field.
Munna Bhai, despite cheating his way into medical school for all the wrong reasons, ends up spotting many of the flaws in the health system and ridiculous hierarchy that comes with being "M. B. B. S." Instead, he assists the nurses, earning their trust. He thanks the environmental health worker and recognizes he has one of the most important jobs, get's the grunt work, and thanks him for mopping the floors and keeping the hospital clean.
Additionally, he self-discovers the roles of allied health without realizing what they are and naturally implements them throughout the hospital, earning the respect of his fellow med students and professors. For example, taking of the role of an Occupational Therapist and assisting a pt with what appears to be something like locked-in syndrome groom himself. Additionally, he plays Speech-Language Pathologist, spending time talking to the patient as a person and figuring out how this patient can communicate (in this case, blinking for "yes"), and he takes on the role of Recreational Therapist, playing board games with patients and brining them entertainment, keeping them living life.
Overall, delightful and excellent film.
