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."

Mental Hai Kya makers defer trailer launch slated for today; meeting called between Ekta Kapoor, censor board and Indian Psychiatric Society to take call on title, teaser
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 19, 2019)

With little over a month to go for the July 26 release of Mental Hai Kya, the makers were eyeing to kick off the run-up with the trailer launch today. However, mid-day has learnt that the event has been put on hold as the title of the Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao starrer remains a subject of contention. In a bid to find common ground, a meeting has been scheduled between producer Ekta Kapoor, members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) in the city today. On the agenda is a special screening of the trailer and a possible review of the title.

This development comes after the hearing at the Gujarat High Court yesterday. It may be recalled that the IPS had knocked on the High Court's door in May, alleging that the title of the Prakash Kovelamudi-directed thriller was "stigmatising, degrading and inhuman in projecting mental disorders and persons who suffer from mental disorders."

Confirming news of the meeting, advocate Kshitij Amin, who represents the censor board, reveals, "The producers submitted the trailer to the CBFC on June 11. The governing body [CBFC here] has decided to call for a meeting between the petitioner and the applicant. They will watch the trailer and decide further course of action. Since the discussion is likely to take place today, the court has adjourned the matter to next week."

Mitul Shelat, legal counsel for the IPS, says, "The matter is subjudice, so all I can say is that the CBFC has called for a meeting and the representatives of the IPS will be present."

Meanwhile, as Kapoor released a new motion poster yesterday, she reiterated that the thriller is sensitive towards the subject of mental illness. "The film doesn't marginalise the mental health community and the title doesn't intend to offend or disregard anyone's sentiments... The movie encourages you to celebrate your uniqueness," she wrote.

mid-day reached out to Balaji Motion Pictures, which remained unavailable for comment.

Ekta Kapoor's production house says Mental Hai Kya encourages people to embrace their uniqueness after Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) writes to CBFC for change in title, threatens to move court
Rupsa Chakraborty and Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 20, 2019)

A day after the release of the poster of the movie 'Mental Hai Kya' starring Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao, the Indian Psychiatric Society has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), accusing the title of stereotyping mental health. The group has demanded changing the title, describing it as discriminatory, stigmatising and degrading to people suffering from mental disorders. In the letter, sent on Thursday, they have also requested CBFC to cut off any part that might be seen as violating and humiliating for people suffering from mental illness.

'Mental Hai Kya' is a comedy film produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Prakash Kovelamudi and is slated for a June 21 release. The poster of the movie was released on Wednesday, showing Ranaut and Rao with a blade on the tip of their tongues. Several psychiatrists have raised their eyebrows at the poster.

Taking cognizance of the issue, the Indian Psychiatric Society, which is one of the biggest psychiatric societies of the world with over 7,000 members, has written to Prasoon Joshi, the chairman of CBFC. "We take serious objection to the title of the movie, which is discriminative, stigmatizing, degrading and inhuman in projecting mental disorders and persons suffering from mental disorders. We strongly demand the title to be removed with immediate effect, preventing further damage to the modesty of mental health service users," reads the letter.

Speaking to mid-day, Dr Vijay Kumar, general secretary of the society stated that the movie also violates many sections of the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017. "The blade on tip of their tongues is scary. It is triggering and reflects self-harm, which reflects the ignorance of people suffering from mental disorders. In India, hundreds of people suffer from such illnesses, who need to be respected rather than being humiliated and taken for granted. As artists and producers, they should take this issue more seriously," he said, adding, "If the producers don't make the required changes, then we would move to court.

Several other psychiatrists are also protesting the poster on social media and via emails to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Dr Pavan Sonar, consultant psychiatrist took to Twitter requesting Kapoor to change the name of the movie. "Yes, I am upset with the title 'Mental Hai Kya'. It doesn't acknowledge the pain of being affected by mental health issues, stigma around mental health. #NoFun #MentalHealth #MentalHaiKya #Stigma," he tweeted.

Another psychiatrist, Dr Harish Shetty, took to Instagram to express his disapproval. He wrote, "The title 'Mental Hai Kya' is provocation and in my opinion, alarming. It appears funny and deriding of the mentally ill. In an era where one is fighting the stigma against mental health and are helping accept the term mental health, the title comes as shock. It may sound cool but the feeling isn't."

The Other Side
When mid-day reached out to Kanika Dhillon, who has written the movie, she said, "It wouldn't be fair to comment without understanding the context in which the complaint has been registered."

Balaji Motion Pictures, the producers of the movie said in a statement, "On the contrary, the makers of the film believe the movie will encourage people to embrace their individuality and distinctiveness. The movie 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."

- Inputs by Mohar Basu