Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao-starrer will undergo a title change; all references to word ‘mental’ to be muted out
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 29, 2019)

Mirror (April 20) had earlier reported that the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) has raised objections to the title of the Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao-starrer Mental Hai Kya which opens on July 26. It had sent out letters addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office, former Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Prasoon Joshi calling it a discriminatory and stigmatising title with the demand that it be dropped.

Now, Mirror has learnt that the producers have decided to change the title of the film. This was confirmed by the production house’s official spokesperson, “Given the sensitivity attached to the issue of mental health and the fact that our intention is not to offend or hurt anyone’s sentiments, the makers have decided to change the title to Judgementall Hai Kya.” The spokesperson added that CBFC has cleared the film with U/A certification with minor changes, which the makers are happy to comply with.

However, Mirror has learnt that the word ‘mental’ appears several times in the film and also in a song. When prodded on whether this will necessitate further changes the spokesperson added, “Understanding the sensitivity of the issue, the makers have readily agreed to mute certain words. The film’s title track is undergoing a revamp.”

Judgementall Hai Kya was earlier scheduled to release on March 29, was pushed to June 21 and will now finally open on July 26. It was earlier clashing with the Hrithik Roshan starrer Super 30, based on mathematician Anand Kumar’s life, but that will now arrive two weeks earlier on July 12. But the Kangana-Rajkummar starrer will lock horns with Diljit Dosanjh and Kriti Sanon cop comedy Arjun Patiala.
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Weeks after its title sparked debate, Mental Hai Kya makers and Censor Board rechristen film to Judgementall Hai Kya; movie cleared with minimal changes
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 29, 2019)

mid-day had reported in its June 19 edition that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had called for a meeting with the makers of Mental Hai Kya to review the film and its contentious title.

It has been learnt that the meeting took place at the Censor Board's Pedder Road office on Thursday night with producer Ekta Kapoor's father Jeetendra and the movie's leading lady Kangana Ranaut in attendance. While the CBFC has greenlit the Rajkummar Rao starrer, the title — that had irked the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) for its allegedly insensitive nature — has now been revised to Judgementall Hai Kya. The trailer, which was to release a fortnight ago, will now be launched next week.

A source present at the screening reveals, "Though Censor Board chairman Prasoon Joshi wasn't in attendance, the screening and the discussion went on for over six hours. The Censor Board cleared the film, but thought it's best to change the name to ensure that there is no dubiousness over the film's message. Ekta was happy to comply with the change as the new title encapsulated the theme of the thriller, which takes a stand on people being judged by society. It was also decided that the word 'mental', which was used in few sequences, will be muted in the edit."

Soon after the first look was released, the Prakash Kovelamudi-directed venture had courted controversy. Several mental health experts had raised objections against the name stating that it was "stigmatising, degrading and inhuman in projecting mental disorders."

Confirming the development of title change, the official spokesperson of Balaji Telefilms said, "Given the sensitivity attached to the issue of mental health and our intention of not offending or hurting anyone's sentiments, the makers have decided to change the title of Mental Hai Kya to Judgementall Hai Kya. CBFC has cleared the film with U/A certification with minor changes, which the makers are happy to comply with. With the CBFC clearance, the movie is all set to release on July 26."