Bengaluru doctors’ secret superpower? Many can speak 4-5 languages, claims leading cardiologist

An old social media post by Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy, one of Bengaluru’s leading cardiologists, has recently resurfaced and gained wide attention amid the city’s ongoing discussions on language and identity. In 2023, the physician had shared his thoughts on the tendency of many people to adopt foreign-sounding accents in English while at the same time avoiding any effort to learn even basic words of the regional languages spoken where they live. He described this as a reflection of a colonial mindset that still lingers in society.

In his message, Dr. Krishnamurthy highlighted how individuals are quick to modify their English with Western intonations yet resist embracing Indian languages, even for practical use in the communities they belong to. This contrast, he implied, illustrates a preference for external validation over genuine cultural integration.

The post sparked discussion online. One user questioned whether the doctor’s stance also meant he treated patients differently depending on the language they spoke. Responding with composure, Dr. Krishnamurthy clarified that such concerns were unfounded since Bengaluru’s medical professionals are, in fact, highly multilingual.


The city, with its diverse population, has naturally shaped its doctors into skilled polyglots. Many practitioners comfortably switch between four to five languages while interacting with patients. For example, a physician who originally hails from West Bengal has achieved remarkable fluency in Telugu—so much so that even native speakers are surprised by his command of it. Another doctor explained that although Telugu is his mother tongue, Kannada has become the language he uses more often in his day-to-day life. Exposure to patients from different parts of the country has even led several doctors to pick up conversational Bengali. This multilingual environment has become a strength for the medical community, as wider linguistic ability allows smoother communication and better care delivery.

Dr. Krishnamurthy himself is a respected figure in his field, practicing at KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru. His resurfaced comments underline a broader truth: while accents may reflect aspiration, the real value lies in embracing the languages that connect people more closely to the communities they live and work in.