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you see on screen has come who appears to be empathetic
from real life experiences of towards the mother of the per-
people. It’s not one particular petrator who drove her son to
real life incident but a mix of suicide and is languishing in
many,” Rais says. jail, Rais clears the air that her
“Many parents have lost reaction is far removed from
their kids to depression and reality of a parent who has gone
many kids have been prey to through similar grief in real life.
bullying. Also many kids re- “There’s nothing super hu-
sort to bullying as a medium man about Mrs Deshpande. She
of expressing their pent up is sensitive, kind and full of em-
aggression. It’s sad , but this is pathy, and we need to see more
our reality. The resolution for characters on screen like her,
both sides of the coin lies in don’t we? I personally came a
addressing that children need across a lot of cases of differ-
to be dealt with carefully and ent sort while researching and
parents need to pay attention surprisingly, many people are
to the emotional needs of their stronger and larger hearted
kids,” he advises. than we expect. People should
Rais also cautions that edu- not be put into boxes. Different
cational institutions cannot ig- people react differently and
nore children’s mental health, that’s what makes people spe-
laying emphasis on the need cial,” he says.
of counsellors in schools and In his upcoming projects,
colleges. “They definitely help Rai is excited for an anthology
children feel lighter and bring of short films lined up with an
awareness on what a child OTT platform starring Vinay
could be going through. Pathak, Soni Razdan, Sayani
Awareness is the first step Gupta, Sharib Hashmi and a
towards cure. It’s absolutely im- Jody other well known names.
perative children are provided “I am also making a foray into
with counselling in schools. the youth crime space with a
It’s time we don’t take the web series starring new com-
mental health of our children ers. I will also be coming up
for granted,” says the young with a short film again by end
director. of the year,” he states.
Talking about his film, Su-
hasi’s character of a mother LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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