Dr. 56 (2022) is a bilingual Indian thriller directed by Rajesh AnandaLeela, featuring Priyamani as CBI officer Priya Krishna. The narrative follows her investigation into the mysterious murders of three neurosurgeons. Parallelly, Arjun, a theater artist portrayed by Praveen Reddy, suffers from a rare condition requiring him to take a pill every 56 minutes. As Priya delves deeper, she uncovers a complex web involving the medical mafia and unethical clinical trials. The film intertwines suspense with social commentary, highlighting the darker facets of the healthcare industry.
Released theatrically on December 9, 2022, and later streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Dr. 56 received mixed reviews. Critics appreciated the film’s ambition and Priyamani’s performance but noted that the second half’s exposition on the medical mafia slowed the narrative pace. Despite its flaws, the movie offers a gripping storyline that sheds light on real-world issues within the medical field.