Mrs Review : Sanya Malhotra fuels life into this affecting story

Story: As a young woman tries to keep up with unrealistic expectations in her newly married life, she realises she is giving up on her dream of becoming a professional dancer in the bargain.

Review: When Richa (Sanya Malhotra) meets Diwakar (Nishant Dahiya) in an arranged marriage set-up, sparks fly. Once married, Richa dutifully begins to help her mother-in-law in the kitchen, preparing elaborate meals for the family. Mornings begin with her father-in-law (Kanwaljit Singh) and husband having freshly prepared breakfast at the dining table, while the women serve them hot rotis, from the kitchen. And evenings end with a pile of dirty dishes in the sink, that the women wash up. While her father-in-law seems to be mostly busy reading or going for walks, Diwakar, a gynae by profession, spends long hours at his clinic or playing squash to unwind.

As days pass, demands from the kitchen seem never-ending, with her father-in-law having strong views that restaurant food shouldn't be eaten in the house (a view that surprisingly doesn't hold when the women in the house have their periods). When Richa's mother-in-law has to travel for a few months all the kitchen responsibilities are meticulously explained and handed over to her.

And in all earnestness RIcha takes them on, only to be met with disapproving glares and grunts from the men of the house, because the food or something else is not up to their expectations. Soon she begins to feel suffocated in a stifling environment, where no one seems to care about how overwhelmed or tired she feels. As her friends begin to call to check in on her, she realises she has left her passion, dance, far behind in this pursuit of making perfect meals, with no one to lend her a hand or a hearing.

To add, a complete u-turn in her husband's demeanor from sweet and loving to abrasive; a constantly leaking sink which leaves the kitchen in a mess and the overall patriarchal mindset of the family begin to take a toll on her.

Directed by Arati Kadav, 'Mrs.' is the official remake of the Malayalam film, The Great Indian Kitchen (2021) by Jeo Baby, a film that garnered unanimous critical acclaim. 'Mrs.' follows the same story arc as the original, changing some cultural references like adding in Karwa Chauth, only to drive home the message further. The narrative subtly weaves in the shifting dynamics in relationships, the power play in traditional family set ups and the deep seated patriarchy which doesn't evade any gender. Copious amounts of beautifully composed food shots, perfectly prepared meals delicately laid out on the table, stare back at you in stark contrast to the trail of sweat, toil and often filth that it leaves behind. The build-up to Richa's final showdown as her relationship with her husband completely breaks down, is seamless, with each emotion clocking in her ticking frustration.

Sanya Malhotra impresses with a very nuanced performance that makes Richa's journey very palpable. She manages to balance the emotional switch effortlessly to show a young wife with stars in her eyes and hope in her heart being chipped away at slowly handling the daily rigours of the house, managing unrealistic expectations and her dreams getting left behind. The pleading look in her eyes speaks volumes. Nishant Dahiya is commendable in his role as Diwakar, with all the shades to his character and Kanwaljit Singh is dependable as always.

For those who haven't watched the original, "Mrs" is a must watch. Especially for its affecting, potent and provocative storytelling which drives home the subtle, everyday patriarchal and societal norms that turn a blind eye to a woman's desires, wants and needs.