Directed by Arati Kadav, Mrs presents a thought-provoking take on the everyday struggles of a woman navigating between her ambitions and deeply ingrained patriarchal norms. The film follows the journey of Richa (Sanya Malhotra), a middle-class housewife whose life takes an unexpected turn, forcing her to confront long-standing gender biases and redefine her sense of self-worth.

Mrs., a Hindi version of the critically acclaimed 2021 Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, could be considered pan-Indian. The protagonist of the tale is Richa (Sanya), a free-spirited young woman with dancing training. She marries gynaecologist Diwakar Kumar (Nishant Dahiya), who is continuing his father Ashwin Kumar's (Kanwaljit Singh) career. She gradually comes to understand that his home is patriarchal, with a woman running the household full-time not being regarded as as diligent as a male who leaves for work. The rest of the story revolves around Richa losing her identity in her pursuit of being the "ideal bahu."

Mrs. just follows Richa's altered life following her marriage. In the early days of their marriage, her devoted husband wants her to follow in the footsteps of his mother, who is essentially a robot at this stage of life, making sure she consumes the leftovers from the family dinner. "Kitchen is the solution to every problem," he says. Another time, after working in the kitchen all day, she does not want to have sex at night. Diwakar says, "You smell like the kitchen, the sexiest smell in the world."

These one-liners are cleverly used by Diwakar's writers, Harman Baweja (yep, the actor), Anu Singh Choudhary, and director Aarti Kadav to outline a character journey. Later on, Richa eventually objects to sex being more about his gratification than her own desires. Diwakar responds that because she "smells like the kitchen," she has become unwelcome. The fact that a physician who specialises in identifying and treating disorders of the female reproductive system chooses to remain ignorant about his own wife is hilarious.

Sanya Malhotra once again proves her mettle as an actress, delivering a nuanced and emotionally charged performance. Her portrayal of Richa captures the silent frustrations, unspoken sacrifices, and gradual awakening of a woman who dares to dream beyond societal constraints. Malhotra’s ability to convey complex emotions with minimal dialogue is one of the film’s strongest aspects, making her performance both relatable and deeply impactful.

Mrs is not just a story about one woman’s battle; it is a reflection of the broader struggles many women face in a society that often defines their worth through marriage and domestic responsibilities. The film cleverly uses everyday scenarios to highlight systemic gender inequality, making it a deeply relatable watch.

Director Arati Kadav’s storytelling is sharp and engaging, allowing the audience to experience Richa’s journey with raw authenticity. The screenplay balances moments of despair with instances of quiet rebellion, ensuring that the film remains gripping throughout. The cinematography and soundtrack further elevate the narrative, capturing both the warmth and oppression of Richa’s world.

Mrs is a must-watch for those who appreciate socially relevant cinema that challenges norms while telling a deeply personal story. Sanya Malhotra’s stellar performance, combined with a well-crafted script and strong direction, makes this film a powerful commentary on ambition, identity, and the fight against patriarchy.