Ekta Kapoor Forced To Change ‘Mental Hai Kya’ Movie Title

Growing sensitivity around mental health in the country has compelled film producer Ekta Kapoor and Shailesh Singh to change the title of their upcoming movie ‘Mental Hai Kya’. The pressure has pushed the producers to either change the title or “face the consequences”.

“They thought the controversy would die down and they can release the film with the same title (Mental Hai Kya). But far from dying, the controversies surrounding the title are just growing,” a source said, Deccan Chronicle reported.

“The team is left with little choice now. They either change or face the consequences,” the source further added.

Apart from garnering criticism from mental health experts and survivors, there is reproach within the industry as well since Deepika Padukone’s Live Love Laugh Foundation, which aims to spread awareness around mental health issues, also condemned the title of the film.

Talking about the consequences of bringing in a new title, a source said, “It means heavy losses through added expenditure as the title has to be changed on all the posters hoarding and other publicity. But it has to be done.”

The movie’s poster also drew flak from all quarters when it came out on April 17. The Kangana Ranaut and Rajkumar Rao starrer was criticised for the way ‘craziness’ has been depicted in the poster and also for its insensitive naming. The film, which is slated to release in June, got seriously reprimanded by mental health experts who have called the movie title ‘ignorant’ and blamed it for adding to the stigma about the mental health conditions in the country rather than breaking it, reported TOI.

ALSO READ: Mental Hai Kya Poster Paints A Risque And Unwanted Picture

Doctors have called the title derogatory and unpleasant and criticised the film for making sarcastic, unwelcome comments at people battling mental health problems.

The title 'Mental Hai Kya?' is clearly derogatory to people fighting with their mental maladies. It is sarcastic and ridicules persons in pain. The best term to describe the sufferers is a person with mental illness.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to the Board protesting against the same and has asked for revision in the content. Experts added, “The title 'Mental Hai Kya?' is clearly derogatory to people fighting with their mental maladies. It is sarcastic and ridicules persons in pain. The best term to describe the sufferers is a person with mental illness.

This term clearly communicates that mental illness is not a criterion to reject a person as a whole. The fact is that this sensational imagination is a perfect example of pathological risk-taking behaviour. But the title of the film loudly ridicules persons with mental illness which is not only unethical and inhuman but also illegal," Santanu Sen, National President, IMA, said in a statement.

Apart from IMA, Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) also objected to the title. The society has written to Prasoon Joshi, chief of the Censor Board, asking it to take action.

The association has sought a change in the title as they felt that it was derogatory and offensive, reports Silver Screen. Apart from convincing the makers to change the title, the IPS also requested the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to censor portions in the film that violates the rights of the people with mental health concerns.

The film 'Mental Hai Kya' is directed by Prakash Kovelamudi and produced by Ekta Kapoor under the banner of Balaji Telefilms. The movie is written by Kanika Dhillon who also wrote last year’s 'Manmarziyaan'.

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