Bollywood
The release date of Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao starrer 'Mental Hai Kya' was previously delayed, post which makers were accused of being insensitive about placing such a title
Updated : Apr 20, 2019, 04:46 PM IST
A day after the makers of 'Mental Hai Kya' were asked to change their title and give a stance about why the particular title, producers of the film have now spoken up. The makers of the film have spoken up over the title and released an official statement through the agency which is handling matters related to the film.
In a statement released on behalf of the makers, there is mention that the movie is a fictional thriller and is meant to entertain the audience rather than discriminate them. "The movie Mental Hai Kya will encourage people to embrace their individuality and distinctiveness. Produced by Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Balaji Motion Pictures’, Mental Hai Kya starring Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao marks the coming together of some of the most talented and responsible media personalities, who in no way intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments. The makers would like to maintain that Mental Hai Kya is a fictional thriller genre feature film meant to entertain audiences and it does not offend, discriminate or disregard any person. In fact the film is a mainstream entertainer which makes a larger point," read the statement.
For the uninitiated, Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Mental Hai Kya' was in news a day before since Indian Psychiatry Society demanded a title change, deeming that the title is discriminating. In a letter which was addressed to the CBFC, they wrote, “We take serious objections to the title of the movie which is discriminative, stigmatising, degrading, inhumane in projecting mental disorders and people who suffer from mental disorders.”
The protest is now official against #MentalHaiKya with the Indian Psychiatric Society writing to Censor Board protesting the images and teasers which depict #mentalillness in poor light..@balajimotionpic please clarify pic.twitter.com/lrIku3ccTd
— Dr Milan B (@milantheshrink) April 19, 2019
A few users on Twitter also agreed with their point of view and said 'Bollywood has no sense of responsibility', adding that the poster could trigger people who are vulnerable to self-harm.
See some of those tweets here:
Not just the title which is incredibly insulting- but also what’s with the graphics? Is that blade supposed to be a joke? Is #Mentalhealth trivial enough to make frivolous film posters on it? Classic case of #Bollywood being ignorant/ regressive #mentalhaikya- shame https://t.co/qoPFcmdGzs
— angryglittergirl (@angryglittergi1) April 19, 2019
Those #MentalHaiKya posters are ridiculous. So triggering for people who are vulnerable to self harm. Bollywood has no sense of responsibility.
— Swetha (@rantassaurus) April 19, 2019
Directed by Prakash Kovelamudi, 'Mental Hai Kya' also stars Jimmy Shergill, Amyra Dastur, Satish Kaushik and Amrita Puri in pivotal roles. The movie, after a long delay, is slated to release on June 21. It would clash with Shahid Kapoor-Kiara Advani starrer 'Kabir Singh'.