A few years ago, a Hindi film was all set to release titled Mental Hai Kya? (Are You Mental?) As soon as the trailer of the film came out, there was an uproar. The film showcased a darkly comical approach to a murder with two primary suspects – an urban, charming young man and his mentally unstable neighbour, a young lady.
Casting aside the solid filmmaking and script, audiences and celebrities alike paid attention to the name of the film. Naming any part of the film ‘mental’ was absolutely not in keeping with today’s atmosphere and politically correct times.
The director and actors were called out, and heavy criticism was doled out. Was it constructive criticism? Perhaps. But it was lost in the hullabaloo of harsh, blameful words.
Eventually, the makers succumbed and changed the name of the film to Judgementall Hai Kya? (Are you Judgmental?) – a tongue-in-cheek retort to the criticism while retaining the original title. And yes, it was judgementall spelt wrongly with two Ls.
What fascinated me about the whole episode was how people jumped to conclusions about the film itself, lightning-quick. Defending the rights of people with mental disorders is one side of the situation. But why diss the film itself?
It was a question that fascinated me and I pondered over the various shades of human psychology.
I understood one crucial aspect of the human mind: when it carries conditioning, it fails to separate individual aspects of a situation. The title of the film was an issue, but that’s all the issue was. The film itself was wonderful.
But when we feel attacked, we attack back with full force, not caring where we hit or even who we hit.
What is constructive criticism? When we are able to come up with a productive solution to a genuine flaw in a product or person, we have practised constructive criticism.
When we put down the said product or person because we carry personal beliefs that don’t align with what they stand for, we are engaging in discounting them. In pop culture terms, we “cancel” them because they aren’t to our liking.
But who are we to judge? Why does judgment fill us with such an air of superiority and rightness?
A question for the ages, indeed, because it has existed since time immemorial.
If there’s anything to take away from the article, let it be this: criticism can be given with love. Criticism can be given with care and respect for the other person. Criticism can be given with empathy, while acknowledging the other person’s point of view.
It sounds like a lofty goal. But it is very much achievable.
What’s more, it transforms the life of the critic. Yes, the critic.
How?
Why not ponder over it? :)
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