Upcoming film ‘Mental Hai Kya‘ landed in controversy when the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) wrote a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) claiming that the posters of the film depict mental illness in poor light. The letter was addressed to the CBFC Chief Prasoon Joshi. In the letter, IPS takes objection to a ‘number of issues’ as it violates many sections of the Mental Health Care Act, 2017.
“We take serious objections to the title of the movie which is discriminative, stigmatizing, degrading and inhuman in projecting mental disorders and persons who suffer from mental disorders,” the letter read.
It further added, “We strongly demand the title to be removed with immediate effect preventing further damage to the modesty of mental health service users.”
The letter also demands that the material of the film which violates the act must be censored.
“The Central Board of Film Certification being a quasi-judiciary body makes it more legally bounded to set an example to the citizens and be the guardian of rich Indian heritage and culture.
“We also demand to censor any sequence that is violating the rights of persons with a mental disorder. We presume this letter as a legal warning to any such events, currently or in future, subjective that comes under the purview of CBFC,” it added.
The Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut starrer film is scheduled to release on 21 June 2019.