Atrangi Re writer Himanshu Sharma: ‘Wasn’t making a documentary; used mental issue as a tool, a sugar-coating’

Aanand L. Rai’s directorial Atrangi Re finally reached the audience last month by taking the digital route on Christmas. It followed a unique and unexpected story-line instead of a love triangle that most fans predicted it to be. Sara Ali Khan ’s performance as Rinku Sooryavanshi was lauded by all while her chemistry with Dhanush won us over. Akshay Kumar ’s special role also left the audience in awe. However, there were some netizens as well as critics who accused the makers of trivializing mental disorders. A few even felt that the topic of mental health was not tackled as well as it could have been.

Reacting to these reviews in a chat with Indian Express, writer Himanshu Sharma explained, “When I chose this story and this concept, I wasn’t making a documentary on mental illness. Understanding of human anatomy does not guarantee that you’ll understand human beings. There is so much more to the film, to that story called Atrangi Re, it talks about love, loss, and trauma, and how trauma can create so many difficulties for you and how love can fix all of those problems. In my head, I used mental issue as a tool, a sugar-coating through which I am telling you about even deeper things.”

He explained that Dhanush’s character Vishu, who was in love with Rinku, and his on-screen doctor friend Madhu, played by Ashish Verma , dealt with Rinku’s condition with utmost sympathy. Himanshu further added that he is a story-teller and his intention was to just tell a story, not make an agenda or propaganda.

What did you think of Atrangi Re?