Title, poster of Kangana Ranaut's movie 'Mental Hai Kya' derogatory, needs to be modified: IMA

The makers have recently released a poster which shows the two lead actors facing each other as they balance a blade between their tongues.

''Brilliant imagination! But can we call it creative too? Creativity is all about producing a useful novelty. Yes, it is a novelty but would you call it useful? In a time when India is facing rise in delinquency and personality disorders marked by risk taking behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, speedy driving, risky selfie taking etc 'creating such provocative ideals' amounts to crime,'' said Dr Santanu Sen, National President IMA.

''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 person with mental illness. This term clearly communicates that mental illness is not a criterion to reject person as a whole. The fact is that this sensational imagination is a perfect example of pathological risk taking behavior. But the title of the film loudly ridicules persons with mental illness which is not only unethical and inhuman but also illegal,'' Dr Sen said.

''As per the Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act says Whoever intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to humiliate a person with disability in any place within public view; shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine,'' he said.

''They may say that you are trying to obstruct our freedom of creative expression. We understand that creativity which utilities raw materials from unconscious mind needs no boundaries but it certainly needs editing by super ego to create a cultural artifact. Can we call a title creative which ridicules more than 10 per cent of the population fighting with inner pain of illness along with external discrimination and neglect?'' said Dr Mrugesh Vaishnav, President, Indian Psychiatric Society.
The logic of creativity and freedom of expression do not permit the creative film makers to hurt the sentiments of sufferers and caregivers and provoke youngsters to risk their lives.
''Studies reveal that almost entire world including India is facing mental health related stigma. Experts and activists are trying to tell people that nobody is so called 'mental' or 'mad'. Having mental illness is neither a crime nor a curse. These are diseases which afflict people and are curable and in some cases manageable. In the era of emphasis on human right it is unethical to call them mentally ill,'' Dr Vaishnav said.

''We appeal the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to intervene and request Central Board of Film Certification to get the derogatory title and content censored or modified,'' added Dr Sen.

'Mental Hai Kya' is an upcoming comedy film produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Prakash Kovelamudi, starring Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Amyra Dastur, Amrita Puri Jimmy Shergill.

The film will be released on June 21.