A Hindi-language film, Mrs, exploring the intricacies of marriage and the exploitation of women’s labor within patriarchal traditions, has ignited a nationwide debate in India.
Starring actor Sanya Malhotra, Mrs follows the journey of a newlywed woman who finds her existence confined to domestic labor in her husband’s home. Her life revolves around traditional duties such as cooking, cleaning, and enduring an unsatisfactory marital relationship. Throughout the film, the protagonist is constantly reminded by her gynecologist husband of his long hours at work, while her contributions to the household go unnoticed and unappreciated.
Directed by Arati Kadav, Mrs is a remake of the 2021 Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, which was widely praised for addressing the issue of domestic abuse and highlighting the unrecognized labor of women in marital settings. While the original film was well-received, its conversation around the unfair division of labor largely reached Malayalam-speaking audiences. The Hindi remake, released on the OTT platform Zee5, has found a broader audience across northern India, amplifying the discourse on gender roles and domestic work.
The film has sparked strong reactions, with some male viewers criticizing it as “too feminist,” while many women have found it resonant, particularly in a country where over 470,000 cases are pending under the Domestic Violence Act. The Save Indian Family Foundation, a men’s advocacy group, accused the film of promoting “feminist propaganda” and claimed that women’s issues dominate policy-making at the expense of men’s rights.
In response to the backlash, director Arati Kadav defended the film, clarifying that it does not portray men as villains. “We didn’t depict men as evil, rather, we showed them as blind to her struggles, unaware of her humanity,” Kadav explained. She emphasized that the normalization of treating women as mere “functions” rather than fully independent humans is the true issue at hand, and that the film does not promote “toxic feminism.”
The film’s portrayal of a housewife’s struggles has also triggered a wave of commentary online. Some critics described the protagonist as a “weak woman” who overreacts to her domestic responsibilities, with one social media user claiming the narrative was “20 years outdated.” Others, however, argued that the film sheds light on a long-ignored reality. Author Rujuta Diwekar pointed out that the film exposes a hidden anger in women who have long endured such domestic expectations in silence.
Social media reactions have been mixed, with some praising the film for revealing the harsh realities faced by housewives, while others decried it as a “cringe film.” “The movie Mrs doesn’t even come close to explaining all that an average housewife in a joint family goes through,” one user wrote. “Their entire existence is subject to criticism and emotional abuse. It’s so normalized that older generation women won’t even find anything wrong with the movie.”
In response to the polarized conversation, author and journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick urged people to look beyond the film and reflect on their own households and familial expectations. “Educate yourself, look in your homes, examine your families, the things you take for granted, and do better,” Bhowmick said.
Sanya Malhotra, who portrays the lead role, noted the film’s relevance, explaining, “So many women have related to the trailer.” She added that the story was specifically adapted to resonate more with northern Indian audiences.
Jeo Baby, director of The Great Indian Kitchen, remarked that such discussions have always existed, citing the original film’s reception in Kerala, where it also faced criticism for being perceived as “anti-men.” “What is important is that such issues are discussed,” Baby said, underscoring the significance of bringing these conversations to the forefront.
The film has also been adapted into Tamil under the same title, continuing its exploration of the gender dynamics in Indian households.
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