What is the story about?
Starring Sanya Malhotra, Mrs had a direct-to-OTT release on ZEE5 earlier this year. The film, directed by Arati Kadav, opened to positive reactions from
audiences and critics alike. However, the film received criticism from some men on social media and in real life. Recently, when Arati joined Zoom's Best Performances Directors Round Table 2025, the director addressed tha criticism. In an exclusive chat with us, the filmmaker revealed how she dealt with flak her film received and reacted to it being called 'anti-men'. Arati also mentioned that Mrs found a lovely voice amongst the audience as well.
Arati Kadav on criticism for Mrs
During an interview with us, Arati revealed, "This film had so many champions. I thought I was in an Instagram bubble where I was only getting Mrs' reels because the algorithm (gives you that). But then people said we are also getting it. There were three waves of big reels. People who were watching the film were also finding such a lovely voice for the film that we felt very enabled by them. For me, Sanya has been a partner, mujhe agar 100 tags hai toh usko toh 1000 (tags aate the), uska toh Instagram khulta hi nahi tha. Usko itne tags ho rahe the."
However, there came a time when Arati noticed the negative reactions. "And then suddenly there was a group of men with Mrs' poster. I initially got excited that somebody took effort and took out a printout like aaj ke world mein hard copy leke koi khada hai. Aur fir pata chala ki no we are against Mrs, it is talking against men. Toh mujhe laga ye toh negative bol rahe hai," she said.
The filmmaker further added, "I feel this is a problem with no name. So many women have to learn to adjust since forever. I don't know when. I am also guilty of how I treated my mother. I have been conditioned by the same system. Only jab mere pe aayi toh I realised this is the problem. To them also to say people are criticising, try o understand these are real life experiences and things."
More about Mrs
Meanwhile, the story of Mrs follows the story of a newly married woman who has to navigate regressive patriarchal traditions. The movie was released on February 7, 2025.
