Star Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya, Kanwaljit Singh, Aparna Ghoshal, Mrinal Kulkarni, Nitya Moyal
Director: Arati Kadav
Mrs Movie Review Summary
Sanya Malhotra’s latest film, a Hindi adaptation of the acclaimed Malayalam movie The Great Indian Kitchen, effectively mirrors its original counterpart. Despite the passage of time since the Malayalam film’s release, the core issues persist—women are still battling for recognition, respect, and autonomy outside the confines of the kitchen. The narrative opens with the protagonist Richa dancing freely, only to be thrust into the expectations of marriage soon after. She marries Diwakar, a doctor specializing in female anatomy, which sets up an ironic and tragic premise for the film. What follows is a painfully relatable portrayal of a woman trying to meet societal and family expectations, only to be reduced to her role in the kitchen.
Script Analysis:
The plot centers on Richa, a young woman full of life, who gets married into a family she knows little about. The script quickly establishes the oppressive environment she enters, where her worth is tied to her ability to manage household chores. The subtle yet impactful screenplay reveals the deep-rooted misogyny within the family. From the very first night, Richa is met with indifference—she’s told where to sleep and informed about the air conditioning settings without anyone considering her preferences. Diwakar, though portrayed as loving, harbors a patriarchal mindset that surfaces in his casual comments and actions.
The brilliance of the script lies in its simplicity—Richa’s life is reduced to cooking and cleaning, with no room for her identity or desires. The screenplay builds tension gradually as Richa’s struggle for validation becomes increasingly futile.
Star Performance:
Sanya Malhotra shines as Richa, perfectly capturing the frustration and helplessness of a woman trapped in a suffocating environment. Nishant Dahiya, as the patriarchal husband, evokes disdain, yet his portrayal feels real. Both actors deliver performances that carry the weight of the film’s heavy subject matter. However, the real star is Arati Kadav’s direction, which masterfully uses symbolism to emphasize how women’s identities are often erased in a patriarchal society. The title Mrs. is a deliberate choice, highlighting how easily a woman’s identity is reduced to her marital status.
Direction:
Arati Kadav’s direction makes the film unsettling, and intentionally so. She forces the audience to confront the uncomfortable reality of many women’s lives, where their worth is determined by how well they can serve their husbands and families. Kadav skillfully uses elements like a leaking tap to symbolize Richa’s ongoing struggles. The film’s depiction of Richa’s daily life becomes increasingly distressing as it moves from mundane to unbearable.
The Last Word:
Mrs. is a film that doesn’t aim to entertain but rather to provoke thought. It’s a reflection on the countless women whose efforts go unnoticed, and whose identities are overshadowed by their roles in the household. The film ends on a poignant note, reminding us that women are often easily replaced without anyone addressing the root of the problem. It leaves you uncomfortable, and that’s exactly the point. The film isn’t about offering solutions but about shining a light on a reality that continues to persist.
