Mrs. Movie (remake Of The Great Indian Kitchen)

And the final victorious walk of the heroine, I don’t think it was preachy. Anyone would walk like that if they are getting away from that kind of husband who thinks he is the top of the food chain, a father in law who wants his chutneys ground in traditional stone, not mixer and freshly prepared everyday, even his tooth brush with paste should be brought to him. I don’t if there are still extreme people like this. But I think the movie definitely struck a chord in a positive way with many all over the country!

 

You hit the nail here rightly. This is exactly what i was trying to explain in the other thread of mine as well. Had this movie been made in sync with the times and the situation happening in India currently, then it would have been different.

Girls now are educated and know what they want. Even in an arranged marriage setting - i have seen many marriages in my family and extended family as well - the girls lay out what they want and the guys are laying out what they want.

Nobody gets into arranged marriage like a blind cat these days. Finances are discussed, the career planning is talked about, where they want to settle, if they want kids, when should they plan for kids, parents and their staying arrangements, every single detail is being discussed before the guy and the girl agree to hitch.

But here, there is an agenda to show a woman walking out of marriage like that is an achievement.

How to approach a marriage is not shown nor how to deal with tricky inlaws is not shown ... how to wade through initial stages of marriage is not shown but only fights, misunderstandings, compromise on the girl and finally the girl walking out.

I am so mentally tired of watching these kinds of movies which seem to glorify the freedom of a woman by showing her walking out without first talking about "how not to get into situations like these to avoid walking out".

Movies are being financed by people with agenda. They are shown by OTTs with similar agendas. No body is willing to talk about reality. I find todays movies so far from reality and so immersed in their blame game and pointing fingers at certain sections of the society that it is very hard to find and a good movie to watch, enjoy and have a hearty laugh.

 

@Rihana, nice thread.
In fact, when I first watched The Great Indian Kitchen on an Oman Air flight to Oman, it felt so unsettling that I couldn’t continue watching it for two reasons:

1. It resonated so much with my early years of marriage, when my husband and in-laws expected me to handle all the household chores, something I wasn’t accustomed to. With no one to turn to or report to (our situation was different), I ended up doing it all myself, even when I was heavily pregnant with my firstborn. This was the norm at my in-laws' place, and even now, my mother-in-law continues to do everything at 65. However, I’ve moved past that stage and now have two maids to handle cooking and cleaning responsibilities.
   
   
2. I couldn’t stand the lead female character more than the male character. Sure, I knew the husband was the villain, but her role… what a waste of life! She agreed to marry someone just because her parents arranged it, without seeming interested in getting to know him, instead assuming everything would just work out. Her mother kept encouraging her to adjust despite her complaints. She walked out of the marriage proudly, with the film portraying it as a success. But the groom was shown marrying another naive girl who now takes on all the chores for him.
   

So, who was the real winner in the movie? The woman who walked out of the marriage, probably ending up alone, without a family or children, and facing societal rejection for her choice? Or the man, now happily married to a woman who fits his idea of "wife material," with a family, kids, and social status?

What message does this movie ultimately send to society?

IMHO, the recent uproar about certain movies have got nothing to do with its story line or the harm they may cause to the society. But the caste or religious references. No one is actually concerned about the social message it delivers.

 

Exactly. This is what I’ve been saying in the other thread. People who loved Arjun Reddy and became fans of VD after that movie are now upset about a negative female character in another film. While being upset is one thing, the reason behind it is concerning, as they believe such characters can negatively influence young girls. But what about young boys? Isn’t that gender discrimination?

Slut, prostitute and what not. These terms have no masculine words.
Haven't we heard of character assassination of self made women? This is not the case for men even if his character is flawed.

People still believe that being gay or lesbian is unacceptable, and they pressure individuals to marry heterosexual partners in the name of social norms and pride. Forced marriages still occur, causing lifelong suffering for everyone involved. Transgender children continue to be abandoned by their families, left to beg on the streets. We still witness caste-related honor killings and the consequences of failed love affairs in society. This regressive mindset is far more harmful to the future of our children than any movie ever could be.

The statistics show that only 29% of girls in India have completed higher education. More importantly, education plays a small role in shaping a person's life compared to the influence of society and family. We've all seen educated women suffer from dowry harassment and, tragically, even commit suicide when the situation becomes unbearable. In most arranged marriages, even today, I doubt many girls feel comfortable discussing their sexual preferences before marriage. And forget about sexuality—most girls in rural villages and middle-class families (not all) struggle to openly discuss their future with anyone.

 

"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. "

It just shows that The heroin is intelligent and that there is no possibility of changing anyone else, especially men of this country, but she can and only she can take care of her own interests. Since there is no child involved it is the best solution. She doesnt walk away the very next day, also the whole family of the husband soaked in the patriarchal system, doesn't leave her any choice but to leave.

Also just by seeing the movies we cannot suppose that any girl will follow suit. Girls nowadays are more well informed, smart and capable of handling things better.

 

While the movie may resonate with many, I believe it could also perpetuate negative stereotypes about Indian men and women, portraying them in a very one-dimensional way. If viewed by an international audience, it might give an impression that the country is still underdeveloped in terms of gender roles and equality. These kinds of portrayals can further reinforce outdated perceptions, rather than showcasing the progress many individuals and communities have made in recent years. It’s important to show a more nuanced view of relationships and societal progress.

 

I watched the Malayalam movie.
The husband's family is portrayed as a very orthodox family.
That is not the norm nowadays.
Most family today have a modern kitchen . Use mixie and other gadgets.
Even though Indian marriages are still patriarchal with men making most of the decisions.
It is an exagerration to show all the hangout grinding, hand washing clothes.
Putting slippers for husband and all.

 

You may have a point, but the fact that so many women in the country saying they can relate speak volumes, don’t they? I agree , the film may be exaggerated a bit but the points it raise still valid ! My opinion only

 

I understand and agree to your point, and you're right that the fact many women relate to it is significant. However, exaggerating the issue in such a way might reinforce the notion that these extreme situations are the norm, which doesn't necessarily reflect the reality for everyone. It risks oversimplifying complex dynamics and reinforcing negative stereotypes, particularly when viewed by an international audience. The film could have focused on the challenges while also highlighting the progress and positive shifts in society, rather than portraying a one-dimensional and exaggerated view. It’s important to acknowledge both the issues and the positive changes happening around us. This could lead to more productive conversations about real solutions rather than perpetuating outdated narratives.