'Mental Hai Kya' row: Kangana's sister Rangoli defends 'insensitive' posters
What's the story
Kangana Ranaut's upcoming movie Mental Hai Kya has faced a lot of flak as its title and promotional posters are seemingly insensitive to people with mental illnesses. In response to the criticism, Ranaut's manager and sister Rangoli Chandel claimed the film will make everyone proud. She also dragged Ranaut's "silly ex" (Hrithik Roshan) and Deepika Padukone's depression into the debate. Here's what went down.
Context
What happened: Deepika's foundation spoke against movie, Chandel responded
On Saturday, The Live Love Laugh (TLLL) Foundation, founded by Padukone, criticized Mental Hai Kya for "reinforcing stereotypes" attached to mental illnesses. Chandel responded by calling TLLL's statement "immature" and asked them to "not be Karni Sena" - the Rajput outfit that opposed Ranaut's Manikarnika and Padukone's Padmaavat. She quipped that Ranaut would replace Padukone as "brand ambassador" of TLLL after the film's release.
Twitter Post
Chandel jumped to defend 'Mental Hai Kya'
Dear @TLLLFoundation Ms Ranaut who is recipient of three national awards and one f the driving forces of feminism movement in India through her films like Queen Manikarnika is one f the most responsible artists,to jump the gun assume the worse is nothing bt immature..(contd.) https://t.co/99Brese96M
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) April 20, 2019
Twitter Post
Chandel assured that the audience will love the film
(Contd)....please don’t be Karni Sena, don’t jump the gun, I assure you, you will love the film 🙏 @TLLLFoundation
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) April 20, 2019
Twitter Post
Kangana will replace Padukone as TLLL's brand ambassador: Chandel
I have a feeling after MHK you will remove @deepikapadukone get Kangana on board as your brand ambassador,her sincere effort to bring awareness to the cause and sensitive portrayal of the condition will leave such an impact on you😜😘... @TLLLFoundation (contd.)..
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) April 20, 2019
Information
A few 'Mental Hai Kya' posters depict self-harm
To recall, Mental Hai Kya also faced flak over its controversial posters. While one poster shows Ranaut and co-star Rajkummar Rao balancing a blade between their tongues, some others depict self-harm. The film stars Ranaut, Rao, Amyra Dastur, Amrita Puri and Jimmy Shergill.
Backstory
Silly ex, nepotism gang called Ranaut mental, bipolar: Chandel
In another tweet, Chandel detailed how two years ago, Ranaut's "silly ex along with the nepotism gang" called the actress "mental and bipolar," and Mental Hai Kya is her way of fighting against that prejudice. Chandel also stated that she can't reveal the plot of the film, but assured that it will "trigger relevant talk and discussions around the stigma."
Criticism
'Mental Hai Kya' is derogatory, said Indian Medical Association
Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) demanded to modify the film's title and poster stating that it's "derogatory to people fighting mental maladies". They opined the movie "ridiculed people in pain". The statement highlighted Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, under which publicly insulting a person with a disability is punishable with a jail term.
Quote
IPS President questioned 'creativity' of the movie's title
IPS President Mrugesh Vaishnav said, "They may say that you are trying to obstruct our freedom of creative expression... Can we call a title creative that ridicules more than 10% of the population fighting the inner pain of illness along with external discrimination and neglect?"