Dr Haris Chirackal slams ‘Hridayapoorvam’ for neglecting medical accuracy

Dr Haris Chirackal has voiced strong criticism against the Malayalam film ‘Hridayapoorvam’, highlighting the careless way it depicts organ donation, particularly heart transplants. According to Dr Haris, the subject has been handled without sufficient research or understanding, a trend he says is common in Malayalam cinema when dealing with sensitive medical topics. He added that by distorting scientific facts, films like these risk eroding both public awareness and the credibility of cinema itself.

In a note shared on social media, Dr Haris elaborated on his concerns: “I watched ‘Hridayapoorvam’. Most Malayalam films handle such topics without proper study or comprehension. ‘Joseph’ was particularly harmful in this regard, portraying brain death in a completely inaccurate and dangerous way by showing someone being struck on the head with a hammer. Such depictions have no scientific basis. In ‘Hridayapoorvam’, it is disappointing to see a senior filmmaker treating the subject with such negligence.

The film does not show the precautions that a person with a transplanted organ must follow. Everything is treated as a joke. Recipients, their families, and society at large should approach organ donation with respect and gratitude. When someone enters a brain-death stage due to an accident or other cause, and their close relatives decide to donate organs, it sets in motion a complex chain of medical teamwork — a process where comedy has no place.

Regarding the recipient, they must follow strict guidelines. The body constantly attempts to reject the transplanted organ, even years after surgery. To prevent this, patients must take immunosuppressant medications, which reduce overall immunity and make them highly vulnerable to infections. These infections can be severe, potentially causing organ rejection or even death. Any complications also lead to significant financial costs.

Recipients are advised to wear masks, avoid crowded spaces, and limit contact with pets, which can carry toxoplasma, fungi, and parasites that may be life-threatening. Long-term steroid use can also weaken bones, increasing the risk of injuries. Previously, donors and recipients were often kept unaware of each other to avoid complications, but Dr Haris notes that media scrutiny today makes such secrecy difficult to maintain.

Finally, he addressed a common myth propagated in films: that personality traits, habits, or emotions can be transferred through the heart. “The heart is merely a pump composed of muscles and nerves,” Dr Haris wrote. “It does not carry emotions. Misrepresenting science in this way diminishes scientific literacy and undermines the credibility of cinema.”