Director: Aarti Kadav
Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya, Kanwaljit Singh
Streaming on: ZEE5
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
Aarti Kadav’s Mrs is a near scene-by-scene retelling of the acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen. While the film remains faithful to its source material, it struggles to recreate the original’s hard-hitting impact. Despite a strong performance from Sanya Malhotra, Mrs falls short in delivering the same emotional depth and intensity that made The Great Indian Kitchen a powerful feminist statement.
A Faithful Yet Underwhelming Adaptation
At its core, Mrs explores themes of patriarchy, female agency, and the crushing monotony of domestic life. The story follows Richa Sharma (Sanya Malhotra), a newlywed woman navigating the deeply ingrained misogyny of her husband Diwakar (Nishant Dahiya) and father-in-law (Kanwaljit Singh). Much like The Great Indian Kitchen, Mrs portrays the daily drudgery of household chores and the silent oppression of women expected to serve their families without question.
However, the film falters in its execution. Unlike Nimisha Sajayan’s quietly rebellious protagonist in The Great Indian Kitchen, Malhotra’s Richa is more vocal and expressive, often confronting her husband and in-laws outright. While this change adds a layer of assertiveness, it also dilutes the subtle, slow-burning impact of the original. One example is a confrontation where Richa explicitly tells Diwakar how she feels about being treated as a sex object—an emotional outburst that replaces the nuanced discomfort that defined the Malayalam version.
Moreover, Mrs over-relies on dialogue to communicate its themes rather than letting silence and unspoken emotions drive the narrative. The film also oddly portrays Richa as somewhat content with her domestic responsibilities, making her final act of rebellion feel more like a reactionary outburst than an organic, hard-earned moment of empowerment.
Strong Performances Elevate a Weak Narrative
Despite the film’s shortcomings, the performances are commendable.
- Sanya Malhotra delivers an engaging performance, capturing the exhaustion and frustration of a woman trapped in a patriarchal household. She particularly shines in quiet, introspective moments where Richa silently processes her reality.
- Nishant Dahiya is convincingly infuriating as the entitled husband who unknowingly perpetuates the cycle of misogyny.
- Kanwaljit Singh as the father-in-law offers a restrained yet impactful performance, embodying the deep-seated sexism that has been normalized over generations.
One standout scene features Richa momentarily escaping her reality—earbuds in, dancing alone in the kitchen. It’s a fleeting glimpse of freedom, beautifully portrayed by Malhotra. Unfortunately, moments like these are too few to give Mrs the lasting emotional weight it needs.
Final Verdict: A Missed Opportunity
While Mrs tackles an important subject, it lacks the emotional power of The Great Indian Kitchen. The film’s more direct approach diminishes the quiet, suffocating tension that made the original so impactful. Sanya Malhotra’s stellar performance is the film’s saving grace, but ultimately, Mrs feels more like an awareness campaign than a deeply affecting cinematic experience.
If you want a more compelling take on patriarchy and gender roles in Indian households, The Great Indian Kitchen remains the superior choice.
📌 Watch or Skip?
Watch for Sanya Malhotra’s performance, but if you’re looking for a powerful feminist drama, The Great Indian Kitchen is the better pick.
Mrs Movie Review, Sanya Malhotra Movie, Mrs on ZEE5 Review, The Great Indian Kitchen Remake, Feminist Films India, Patriarchy in Indian Films, Best Indian Women-Centric Movies
