Kangana Ranaut’s Mental Hai Kya runs into major trouble – read details

Kangana Ranaut is one person who can’t catch a breath without being caught up in some kind of controversy. The Queen actress has now found herself in deep waters and no it’s not because of something she has personally said or done, but because of her new film titled – Mental Hai Kya that also stars Rajkummar Rao as the male lead. Directed by National Award director Prakash Kavelamundi, the film’s poster released last week. The film is now set to release on June 21. However, looks like there may be a serious issue knocking on the door for Mental Hai Kya after the Indian Psychiatric Society is demanding that the makers change the title of the film as it is discriminating and stigmatising for those suffering from mental issues.

The Indian Psychiatric Soceity (IPS) has written to the Central Board of Film and Certification (CBFC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as well as to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) calling out the title of the movie “discriminative, stigmatising, degrading and inhuman in projecting mental disorders and persons” The IPS is raising serious objections to the title and have asked the authorities to remove the title and additionally censor scenes that may violate the people suffering from mental disorders. Mental health is still a taboo conversation in our country, so it is understandable where this concern stems from. The IPS is taking this matter seriously and they have even threatened to file a Public Interest Litigation if their demands are not met.

The statement issued by the IPS read: “We strongly demand that the title be removed with immediate effect preventing further damage to the modesty of mental health service users. We also demand to censor any sequence in the movie that is violating the rights of persons with mental disorder.”  Dr Sagar Karia from the Bombay Psychiatric Society also took to Twitter saying: “The way the promo of the film portrays the persons with mental illness is very wrong. It appears as though they are making fun of those suffering from illnesses, which is irresponsible.”

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#KanganaRanaut & @rajkummar_rao in the latest 'Razor sharp'' poster of #MentalHaiKya Film in cinemas on 21st June #MentalHaiKyaOn21stJune @ektaravikapoor @prakashkovelamudi @kanika.d @shaaileshrsingh @ruchikaakapoor @balajimotionpictures

A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@team_kangana_ranaut) on Apr 16, 2019 at 9:09pm PDT

Here s why we need to #Bridgethegap in all aspects with regards to #Mentalhealth scenario in India. upcoming movie #mentalhaikya -the name, the images super triggering and loaded with stigma @netshrink @AnantBhan @chibberratna @VijayNallawala @mentalhealthind @healthcollectif . pic.twitter.com/DHGhfUF2CN

— Smriti Joshi (@SmritiSawhney) April 17, 2019

This is atrocious and should be stopped @TLLLFoundation @mentalhealthind https://t.co/H6igmYYPzL

— Soumitra Pathare (@netshrink) April 17, 2019

>@SmritiSawhney Precisely the gripe I had even with the title #MentalHaiKya. The poster does not help the cause either. The layperson would not be able to differentiate between 'mentally ill' and 'Mental'. Those with #mentalillness are often called 'mental' in a derogatory way. https://t.co/SWhdqdNB0P

— Vijay Nallawala (@VijayNallawala) April 17, 2019

People with real mental health issues are struggling to get treatment, because of the stigma with words like ‘MENTAL’, ‘PSYCHO’. It is highly insensitive to have title like #MentalHaiKya I humbly request to change the title @RajkummarRao #KanganaRanaut

— Dr. Pavan Sonar 🇮🇳 (@PavanSonar) April 17, 2019

Well, let’s see what the makers have to say about this. Keep following CineBlitz for all the latest updates from Bollywood.