Aanand L Rai Reacts To Mental Health Criticism Around Atrangi Re: “Was Not Making Film Which Would Give You A Solution”

The success of Atrangi Re has added another feather to the cap of filmmaker Aanand L Rai, known for directing movies like ‘Raanjhanaa’ and the ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ franchise.

Atrangi Re, starring Sara Ali Khan, Dhanush and Akshay Kumar took the direct route to digital and opened up to positive response from both audiences and critics.

While he received widespread praise, he also drew some criticism from a section of the audience for his handling of the topic of mental health. But Aanand L Rai takes it all in stride, believing that praise and disapproval are an integral part of a storyteller’s life.

In a recent conversation with IANS, Aanand L Rai talked about his collaboration with master AR Rahman and southern star Dhanush, the resounding success of the film, and the critical reviews it has received.

talking about how rahman is not only a collaborator for him, but also a nurturer of his belief in his stories, the filmmaker says: “Every time I try to do something that is a little more than me or a great leap (of faith), I need someone like AR Rahman to give that emotion or correct support just be the mainstay of it. And who else can do it better than the legend himself.”

Commenting on the astute understanding of the stories and the intentions behind them, the two-time Grammy Award winner says, “He’s down to earth and very humble, and there’s a lot to learn from him. More than the story, he understands the intent behind it and he understands the soul behind exactly what you’re asking. There are times when you can’t describe certain emotions or words, but he is so sensitive to emotions that he understands each and every one of them.”

“It’s always a great learning, whether it’s from the ‘Raanjhanaa’ era or the ‘Atrangi Re’ era, how music can help you tell your story in a better way. It becomes an integral part of your storytelling and the main magic comes from it,” adds Aanand L Rai.

Rai is happy that his risk of telling a complicated story in the context of commercial cinema has paid off with ‘Atrangi Re’, “’Atrangi Re’ is a very important moment in my life as a storyteller. I actually went with my most complicated take and was able to reach my audience and understand their likes and dislikes.”

Speaking of Dhanush, who has given a brilliant performance in the film, he says, “He was a great actor when I started working with him on ‘Raanjhanaa’ and he is still that high voltage actor. He is such a smart actor and an equally smart person, who goes the extra mile for his characters. To come and contribute such a nuanced character is something only an actor like Dhanush can do.”

Ask about the criticism that the film has received for dealing with the issue of mental health and Aanand L Rai calmly replies: “It is a free country and everyone is free to express what they want and that is fine with me. What he was trying to do was tell an honest story. In fact, it was never a creator’s perspective, but a character’s perspective of what was going on.”

Digging deeper into it, he adds, “I wasn’t making the movie that would give you a solution to mental illness. It is fiction and the perspective of a female character who is going through everything (which has been presented in the film). So your attitude is casual or your outlook is casual. I created the story from a layman’s perspective and not from a medical perspective.”

Sharing his learnings from the film’s success, the filmmaker makes a rather interesting comment about Indian film critics: “What I learned from ‘Atrangi Re’ is that the audience is not as critical as some top critics. Obviously those opinions are also important. However, they are getting too smart to prove it to others. What I understood with this film is that your story has to connect with the audience and that’s what matters to me.”

But do these kinds of reactions put pressure on him? “I will never take that pressure because I know that my intention is to reach my audience. Either the public will like your movie or they won’t, not that everyone loved ‘Atrangi Re’”, he concludes with a humble smile.

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