In a striking revelation, acclaimed actor Sanya Malhotra shared her enthusiastic agreement to play the lead role in “Mrs,” a forthcoming Hindi-language film spotlighting the often overlooked and undervalued role of homemakers. Speaking candidly, Malhotra expressed her eagerness to be a part of a project that delves into the common yet underappreciated struggles faced by women relegated to household tasks post-marriage. The film is a Hindi adaptation of Jeo Baby’s critically-acclaimed 2021 Malayalam film “The Great Indian Kitchen”. The original narrative follows an aspiring dancer ensnared in a patriarchal family who is confined to domestic chores but eventually resists her oppression.
“It’s sadly a universal thing that a lot of women go through. Being a homemaker is an under-appreciated job. A lot of people don’t think that it’s a job in itself. So, it’s definitely a universal issue that a lot of women go through. Hence, it makes the journey of this character and the film so relatable,” Malhotra told PTI in an interview.
Directed by Arati Kadav, known for her work on “Cargo,” “Mrs” is described as a compelling story of a woman’s resilience and strength. Malhotra was immediately drawn to the character of Richa upon hearing the script for the Hindi adaptation. “It was an immediate yes. I read the script and I fell in love with the character. I wanted to be part of this film, and also tell a woman’s story. I know so many women around me who’ve gone through something similar like this. I feel empathetic towards that. I also feel a sense of responsibility as an actor that these stories need to be told,” she added.
Malhotra’s connection to the story is deeply personal. She recounted how a close friend had experienced a similar ordeal and shared her therapy notes with Malhotra. “A friend of mine had gone through something very similar to the character, and she graciously shared her therapy notes. She’s out of that marriage now. For the film, we interviewed a lot of women and read horrific and heartbreaking poems that women have written about being trapped in their house and chores, and how insignificant that makes them feel,” she said.
Balancing the realms of fiction and reality posed a significant challenge for Malhotra.
. “I had to swim into what she is going through, I’d to imagine being in her shoes and start living her life… But I also need to have that boundary that these are not my emotions; these are not the experiences that I’m experiencing. At the same time, I thought I can be there for them, and be a part of something bigger and help other people know about these issues through my work,” shared Malhotra, who is recognized for her roles in films like “Dangal”, “Pagglait”, “Kathal”, and “Jawan.”
The performance has already garnered accolades; Malhotra recently won the ‘Best Actress’ award at the New York Indian Film Festival 2024 for her role in “Mrs.” She expressed her gratification over the positive reception the film and her performance have received at international film festivals such as the New York Indian Film Festival and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
“We knew it was going to be a special film while we were shooting it. The kind of response we are getting from all these film festivals, and people outside of India, and Indians who have seen it… It gives me a sense of confidence that the film is good and will do well whenever it releases in India,” Malhotra commented. She also revealed that for the first time, she felt a sense of pride in her own performance. “I usually don’t like my work that easily… I’m very critical of my work but this time, my team was quite shocked when I told them, ‘I’m quite proud of myself, I think it’s a good one,'” she admitted.
“Mrs” is presented by Jio Studios in association with Baweja Studios. The film also features Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh in pivotal roles and is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, and Harman Baweja. The film’s thematic focus on the unacknowledged efforts of homemakers resonates widely, promising to touch hearts and ignite conversations around the globe.
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