Mrs. Movie (remake Of The Great Indian Kitchen)

Mrs. is a Hindi remake of the Malayalam movie The Great Indian Kitchen. It is a reasonable almost frame by frame remake, good acting by all, OK to watch, though a bit lacking the intensity and slower build-up of the original Malayalam movie.

This thread is however about the disturbing message this otherwise feel-good movie sends.

The movie effectively highlights how women are treated and the undervaluation of their labor. However, I have some concerns. The couple meets briefly at the girl-dekko and again at a restaurant where they (gasp!) hold hands in a delightfully playful moment, which seems to symbolize some modernism. But they enter marriage without discussing essential topics—career plans, financial management, religious values (such as sitting separate during periods), or when to have kids. Unsurprisingly, things begin to unravel quickly, and she leaves.

Is this responsible cinema? The film shows two educated individuals—he’s a gynecologist, and she’s a trained dancer—entering marriage so carelessly, with a carefree attitude of "let's be good people, let’s do our best and hope for the best." An important part of her life like she wants to pursue dancing seriously after marriage is not discussed? Does this really reflect the reality of relationships, especially for people who are professionally accomplished?

What message does this send to young people about the right way to utilize the very useful arranged marriage method? The movie downplays the importance of careful consideration and communication before entering such a commitment. It portrays marriage as something that can be navigated on a whim, with little discussion about key topics—just ticking a few boxes like family values and financial status matching.

Are movies like The Great Indian Kitchen and Mrs. that encourage such irresponsible behavior from educated adults responsible for India's increasing divorce rates?

 

I believe such movies influence young people and their families to approach marriage in an ill-informed and unprepared manner, ultimately increasing the likelihood of divorce.

Instead of portraying her walking out as a "victory" for women or womanhood, filmmakers should focus on showing the proper way to utilize the arranged marriage system, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful consideration, communication, and preparation.

Just like we wouldn't wish our daughters to make the same decisions as the heroine in Arjun Reddy, we should hope they don't make the same errors in judgment as the heroine in Mrs. either.

In Arjun Reddy, the heroine ends up with a child out of wedlock, while in Mrs. and The Great Indian Kitchen, the heroine ends up out of wedlock itself.

 

Thank you for the response. It doesn't answer the question. The question is about the movie and is it responsible cinema, is it sending the right message to young people. Your response is about your marriage and what would be your reaction if your child were in the heroine's situation.

Trying again, the question is:

Is Mrs. or The Great Indian Kitchen responsible cinema? The film shows two educated individuals—a gynecologist and a trained dancer—entering marriage carelessly, relying on a vague "let’s be good people" approach. Key aspects, like career plans, finances, religiousness level, her interest in dance, are not discussed.

Does this reflect reality, especially for accomplished professionals? The movie downplays the need for careful consideration and communication in arranged marriages, portraying it as a casual decision based on a vague match of family values and financial status.

Are films like The Great Indian Kitchen and Mrs. promoting irresponsible choices, contributing to India's rising divorce rates?​

 

I find it extremely disturbing that the heroine walking out of her marriage is portrayed as a victory, a behavior worth emulating. The film ignores how irresponsible both the man and woman were—and perhaps their families too—in failing to address basic compatibility issues.

Such movies encourage a reckless approach to arranged marriage. The system works when approached with care. The heroine's marriage didn’t fail solely because of her food and stone-grinder chutney obsessed FIL.

When discussing India's rising divorce rates, people often cite women's independence, nuclear families, or career pressures. Yet, films like these subtly influence young people and respectable middle-class families who cherish and proudly uphold their traditional values. It's disheartening to see good people caught in unintended divorces.

Wish filmmakers and audiences rejected movies like The Great Indian Kitchen or Mrs. Far from portraying true empowerment of women or fighting patriarchy, they encourage reckless decisions, undermining the thoughtful approach needed for a strong marriage.

 

I won’t even get into how absurd it is that the couple never discusses sex before marriage, yet she magically expects him to turn out to be a considerate and tender lover—and is then upset by the lack of foreplay. The way she enters marriage so casually, without considering sexual compatibility, makes me shudder.

I put more thought into buying a 3/4 sleeve top on Amazon, worrying about the fit, fabric, feel, and size—and I make sure it’s Prime (free returns). Apparently, the heroine in Mrs. and The Great Indian Kitchen treats marriage like an Amazon Prime free return item.

 

So, the movie is sending a wrong message? Movies do have an impact on people in India. If people follow what the movie shows, divorces will increase? The movie is setting a bad example?