On World Mental Health Day, actress Kangana Ranaut while urging her fans on social media to watch her film 'Judgementall Hai Kya', took a dig at fellow actor Deepika Padukone, accusing her indirectly of trying to stifle her film and alleging that the movie was dragged to court by 'those who run depression ki dukan'.
On Saturday, as people across the globe observed this day and took the opportunity to spread awareness about stigmas around mental illnesses, Kangana, while stating that her film is a good watch, wrote on Twitter, "The film that we made for Mental Health awareness was dragged to the court by those who run depression ki dukan, after media ban, name of the film was changed just before the release causing marketing complications but it’s a good film, do watch it today #WorldMentalHealthDay (sic)."
Deepika's The Live Love Laugh Foundation, back then, while commenting on 'Mental Hai Kya', had in a series of tweets stated, “It is time we put an end to the use of words, imagery and/or the portrayal of persons with mental illness in a way that reinforces stereotypes. Many millions who suffer from mental illness in India already face tremendous stigma. Therefore, it is extremely important to be responsible and sensitive to the needs of those suffering.”
For the unversed, the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) had filed an official complaint to CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi, seeking information about how the film would address mental health. In fact, Gujarat High Court had asked the Central Board of Film Certificate to consider the objection raised by IPS, before issuing the film a certificate.
Consequently, after drawing criticism from mental health experts and a media ban following that, Kangana's film on mental health which was previously titled 'Mental Hai Kya', had to revise the title to 'Judgementall Hai Kya'.
Earlier, Kangana had used the same phrase 'depression ki dukaan' and another ‘depression ka dhanda’ when she had accused Deepika Padukone of running a business while advocating about mental illnesses.
It was soon after the Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a probe in late actor Sushant SIngh Rajput's mysterious death, that Kangana Ranaut took to Twitter and lauded the move and call out Deepika Padukone, who spoke about depression (from June 15-17) right after the news of Sushant's demise broke (on June 14).
"Repeat after me, depression ka dhandha chalane walon ko public ne unki aukat dikhadi #CBIforShushant #SushantSingRajput #1stStepToSSRJustice," wrote Kangana in one of her tweets, before going out on a full-blown rant against Deepika.
