Sanya Malhotra-starrer Mrs has received widespread acclaim and sparked discussions on social media ever since its release on ZEE5 on February 7. Directed by Arati Kadav, the film explores themes of patriarchy and a woman’s fight for independence.
In the movie, Sanya plays Richa, an aspiring dancer who is married to Diwakar Kumar, played by Nishant Dahiya. After marriage, she finds herself trapped in a conservative household, where she is expected to perform only domestic duties. However, she ultimately chooses to break free from these societal constraints.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Nishant Dahiya expressed surprise at the overwhelming reception of the film. He shared, “I genuinely did not expect the film to reach such a vast audience. Even people who usually prefer action and adventure films have reached out to me. Many of my friends even joked that I should have given a disclaimer to not watch it with their wives!”
Extreme Backlash From Male Viewers
While many viewers appreciated his performance, Nishant revealed that the most extreme reactions came from men. He received abusive messages and even death threats. “I have got such lovely messages from women who said they hated my character but appreciated my work. But the most shocking reactions came from men! I received messages saying, ‘You dumb**k actor, go and eat rat poison!’ and ‘Die somewhere, you mother***er!’”
He added, “One message even said, ‘You are not worthy of being an actor because you accepted such a bad role.’”
Most Men Are Like Diwakar
Reflecting on the film’s theme, Nishant pointed out that the character of Diwakar represents a harsh reality. “If we look around, 95% of men are like Diwakar. It’s about self-awareness. Many men don’t even realise how their actions impact women. The film highlights this issue.”
He further explained that Diwakar isn’t inherently evil but is shaped by societal conditioning. “Even after Richa leaves, he remarries, showing that neither he nor his family ever acknowledged their mistake.”
Why Nishant Initially Rejected The Role
Nishant admitted that he initially refused the role because he disliked the male lead in The Great Indian Kitchen, a film with a similar theme. “When Arati offered me the part, my first reaction was no. But casting director Mukesh Chhabra insisted I reconsider. Eventually, I saw how passionate Arati was and how relevant the film’s message is.”
Criticism Of ‘Toxic Feminism’
Mrs has also faced criticism, with some accusing it of promoting “toxic feminism”. Responding to this, Nishant said, “Our film isn’t about telling women to stop being homemakers. It’s about letting them make their own choices. The criticism that it ruins the sanctity of marriage is completely misplaced.”
Despite the extreme reactions, Nishant believes Mrs is an important film that encourages debate on gender roles and societal expectations. “The film is about pursuing your dreams and having the freedom to choose your own path. That’s the message we wanted to share.”
