देश, काल, समाज, अथवा पिरवार रहते हैं सब एक तरफ
मुन्तिजर चाहत में स्त्री के साथ की
हर कदम पर बांधकर अपने स्वार्थ हेतु एक बंधन में..
कृत्िरम हैं सब समाज, व्यक्ित िवशेष और पिरवार के बंधन
स्त्री स्वयं बंधी हैं
चाहे तो पल में उजागर कर सकती हैं यथार्थ
धराशायी कर अिभशप्त धारणाओं को
अपने लिए बनाते हुए एक स्वतन्त्र “स्पेस”..
^Lisl cukrh L=h* (The Woman Creates Space), this evocative phrase speaks to the resilience of the Indian woman, who, despite being bound by the shackles of societal expectations, familial obligations, and personal desires, yearns to carve out her own space.
Women in India have gradually changed roles and responsibilities in many ways breaking the patriarchal norms, like reaching to Moon or Mountain, running small scale to large scale businesses, being boss ladies at various fronts, yet in many families, communities and areas, there conditions are not much improved, their passions remain dormant, their desires unfulfilled, their ideas unacknowledged, and their voices silenced.
The way a lotus blooms in the shadows, their beauty and strength remain unseen, their potential unreleased. An upsetting melody of unfulfilled dreams and unspoken words, their struggles and pains, all together becomes a haunting reminder of the unfinished journey towards true empowerment.
Recently I saw Indian Hindi-language drama film ‘Mrs.’, where the suffocating grip of India’s patriarchal system is laid bare. Directed by Arati Kadav and starring Sanya Malhotra, this powerful film is a remake of the 2021 Malayalam film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. Through the eyes of Richa, an educated dancer, trapped in a traditional and patriarchal marriage, relentless erosion of a woman’s identity, autonomy, and dignity can be witnessed.
Into her new family after marriage, where a girl steps into with lots of hopes and desires, Richa is confronted with the oppressive weight of regressive traditions. The domestic sphere, the four-walled home becomes a prison where women are relegated to the drudgery of kitchen duties, while men indulge in leisurely pursuits going for sports activities, reading newspaper, watching television, and gossiping with friends and so oblivious to the struggles of their partners compelling them to bring their clothes out from closet for them after shower, cooking and cleaning on their own, even keeping slippers near bed before they wake up in the morning. The family’s patriarchal values are starkly evident in the mother-in-law’s servitude, the father-in-law’s entitled behavior, and the husband’s inconsiderate and condescending attitude.
The silbutta chutney episode, namak kum-jyada, is ghar ghar ki kahani with women who laboriously cook for the whole family standing most of the time of the day in the kitchen. Such a thankless job! Even preparation of shikanji (lemonade) becomes a tool for humiliation.
Richa’s journey is a depiction of systemic suppression of women in India. The patriarchal forces that surround her constantly thwart her aspirations, desires, and needs. The film’s portrayal of menstruation as a source of shame and impurity is a scathing critique of the regressive attitudes that perpetuate women’s oppression. The way other days of month, you are a full time laborer, but in these five days, men can manage what they were not able to manage other days. What a paradox!
Yet, ‘Mrs.’ is not just a film about oppression; it is also a powerful exploration of resistance and liberation. Richa’s ultimate act of defiance, as she throws murky kitchen sink water on her husband and father-in-law, is a symbol of her refusal to be silenced, marginalized, and oppressed. Her departure from the family is a triumphant assertion of her independence, dignity, and self-worth.
Today, if she wishes to stand at the crossroads, asking for a breath of fresh air, while her husband abandoned her, building fortresses of male ego upon the foundations of her existence, asking her to delete videos of her dance which were more than passion for her, her life, her identity. In addition, the leakage of tap adds to the tone in the movie that any time any dhamaka can happen.
At the closure, where Richa is shown as an independent dance teacher, using her art to express the pain and trauma she endured, represents the transformative power of resistance. As she dances, she reclaims her body, her voice, and her story. Her saga becomes the saga of all those women who have been silenced, marginalized, and oppressed by the patriarchal system with a ray of hope.
Sanya Malhotra delivers a captivating performance that anchors the story. Her character is of a strong yet relatable woman character, who challenges of living in a patriarchal society that often undermines her aspirations and independence. The narrative effectively highlights how societal pressures dictate choices related to marriage, career, and personal fulfillment.
The cinematography and direction complement the storytelling, emphasizing the protagonist’s internal conflicts and the external pressures she faces. The supporting cast further enriches the narrative, presenting a spectrum of perspectives on gender roles, which adds depth to the conversation about patriarchy in contemporary India.
‘Mrs.’ is more than just a film; it is a call to action, encouraging viewers to reflect on the progress made in women’s rights while acknowledging the long journey ahead. I thought to write about this as we have been celebrating International women day before and after the day got over, for whole week, living in a trance, yet grass level work needs to be done at various levels in Indian system changing the mentality of folks.
The theme successfully resonates with audience members from various backgrounds, invoking critical discussions about gender equality and the evolving role of women in Indian society, as the family was of doctors, means well read scholars still suppressing women voices at home treating the as serving machines. The way Richa’s mother-in-law makes prior arrangements of each and everything for her father-in-law avoiding her own me time and health issues working till midnight. On the other hand, her husband wants wife to be seductive in bed, but is not able to see how she works like a donkey whole day.
In her novel When I Hit You, Meena Kandasamy says- “To stay silent is to censor all conversation. To stay silent is to erase individuality. To stay silent is an act of self-flagellation…” therefore Richa also doesn’t stay silent, reclaims her identity within the patriarchal framework.
This narrative seems not just of one Indian woman but behind this story, the stories lie of thousands and lakhs of Indian women who suffer in their marriages. The National Family Health Survey states that their partners at some point have physically, sexually or emotionally abused more than 30 percent of women.
Behind the silence of a woman, lies hidden boundless ocean. Can you comprehend the anguish of her failed endeavors? Can you fathom the depths of her inner world? With hands clasped in trust, she aspired to soar to great heights, only to be deceived by the false promises of love and marriage. For centuries, womanhood has been shackled to the threshold of societal expectations.
Women also need to understand that all societal, personal, and familial bonds are artificial; women themselves are bound, but they have the power to break free in an instant, shattering the illusions of societal expectations and creating their own independent space
Overall, ‘Mrs.’ is a thought-provoking film that combines strong performances of veteran actors with a compelling narrative, making it a must-watch for those interested in social issues and the fight against patriarchy, moreover, an excellent reflection of the struggles and triumphs of Indian women, how they forge their own paths and create their own spaces. Hopefully this kind of drama will become the new catchphrase and transforming social structures and prevailed inequalities settling the minds of people around us, rather than few reviews given by reviewers, published here and there in some good newspapers on online news portals or magazines.
Canadian poet Rupi Kaur says- ‘What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn / that since day one / she’s already had everything she needs / within herself / it’s the world that convinced her she did / not..
Dr. Shalini Yadav is a professor, writer and columnist
from Jaipur, Rajasthan.
