Farah Khan Faces Backlash for Her Insensitive Comment on Mental Health

Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan came under criticism in an online firestorm for what some found to be an “insensitive statement” on mental health. Too Much with Twinkle and Kajol, when actress Ananya Panday was sharing her experiences and ideas on mental health awareness during the talk show, the statement came out.

Farah Khan’s contentious statement

Farah Khan, who had gone as a guest later, stepped in Ananya’s sharing her viewpoint on how mental health should be taken seriously. On the program, articulated: “Whenever you want to get out of something, it’s a mental health problem.”
Many viewers found this distasteful since they saw it as disrespect of the actual suffering endured by people with mental health problems. The episode thereafter saw a flurry of social media reactions condemning Farah for her insensitivity toward such a significant issue.

Her remark caused internet division

Though many internet users criticized her for being tone-deaf, a few came out to defend her claiming this mirrored how far the Modern speech uses the term “mental health” wrong.

One user noted, “I have been medicated for mental health problems and agree that people sometimes use the term too carelessly to excuse their actions. Mental health is real, but certain use it as justification for lack of accountability, another noted.
Many others, nevertheless, emphasized that such comments from those in positions of power promote misconceptions and stigma regarding mental health.

A Sensitive Subject Wrongly Handled

The event highlights how necessary it is to treat mental health with more sensitivity. Though Farah Khan may have been commenting on misunderstanding of the phrase, her statements were insulting to many. This episode repeats that in articulation, sensitive, compassionate, and responsible discussions regarding mental health are necessary.