IMA, Live Love Laugh Foundation also raise objections to Mental Hai Kya title

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and The Live Love Laugh Foundation, initiated by actress Deepika Padukone, have followed the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) in raising an objection to the title of the upcoming film, Mental Hai Kya, starring Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut.

The mental health organisations have requested the makers of the film to take a look at the title and subject matter if it has any content that can trigger a person dealing with mental health issues.
 
Santanu Sen, president of IMA, said in a statement, "The title Mental Hai Kya is clearly derogatory to people fighting mental maladies. It is sarcastic, and ridicules persons in pain. The best term to describe the sufferers is a person with mental illness."

"The title of the film loudly ridicules persons with mental illness which is not only unethical and inhuman but also illegal," Sen added.

The IMA referred to Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act which states that “whoever intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to humiliate a person with disability in any place within public view shall be punishable with a jail term of not less than six months, which may extend to five years, with fine.”

In two tweets, The Live Love Laugh Foundation laid out their concerns to the film's title and content, asking the maker not to resort to stereotypes and "be responsible and sensitive towards the needs of those suffering".

Ranaut's sister, Rangoli Chandel, asked The Live Love Laugh Foundation not to "jump the gun and assume the worse (sic)".

In fact, Chandel insisted that the film and Ranaut would bring awareness to the cause of mental illness.

Directed by Prakash Kovelmudi, the film recently released posters with the tagline, 'Sanity is overrated' with the stars balancing a razor blade on their tongues. Mental Hai Kya is due to be released on 21 June, alongside films Kabir Singh and 99 Songs.