Sanya Malhotra’s latest film, ‘Mrs’, has been receiving widespread appreciation for its bold take on patriarchy within Indian society. The film follows Richa, a newlywed dancer, who struggles against the rigid traditions of an Indian joint family while navigating the challenges of an arranged marriage.

However, Kangana Ranaut has indirectly criticized the film through a lengthy Instagram post, urging people to stop generalizing Indian joint families and demonizing elderly people.

Kangana’s Strong Reaction Against ‘Mrs’

Without mentioning ‘Mrs’ directly, Kangana took to her Instagram stories to defend traditional Indian family values and reject the comparison of homemakers to paid workers.

On Women’s Role in a Joint Family:
"Growing up, I never saw a woman who didn’t command her household, ordered everyone when to eat, when to sleep, and when to go out. She asked her husband about every penny he spent, and he obliged. The only conflicts were boys’ outings and frequent drinking evenings with friends."

She further emphasized how women in joint families hold immense power and how elderly members play a crucial role in providing emotional and childcare support.

On Homemaking vs. Forced Labour:
"Let’s stop generalizing Indian joint families and demonizing elderly people. Also, let’s stop comparing women of the house with paid labour."

Marriage Is About Duty, Not Validation, Says Kangana

Kangana dismissed modern portrayals of marriage in Bollywood, stressing that it should be rooted in “Dharma” (duty) rather than validation or attention-seeking.

On the Purpose of Marriage:
"Too many Bollywood love stories have distorted the ideas of marriage. Marriage has always had a purpose in our country, and that purpose was Dharma—which essentially means duty. That’s it, do your duty and move on."

She added that previous generations cared for their elders and families as a responsibility rather than seeking external validation.

"Let’s Not Endorse Divorce" – Kangana's Views on Social Institutions

In her post, Kangana urged people not to glorify divorce or encourage abandoning family structures, citing spiritual teachings.

On Finding True Joy:
"Shastras say there is no joy in another human being, in success, wealth, or marriage. True joy lies in being united with Paramaatma (the Supreme Soul). If you seek joy, look for it in the right place. Everywhere else, just do your duty."

On Divorce & Family Values:
"Let’s not dismantle social institutions like marriage, let’s not endorse divorces, and let’s not encourage the younger generation to abandon their older parents or avoid having children."

About ‘Mrs’ – The Film That Sparked Debate

‘Mrs’ is the official Hindi remake of the acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen. Directed by Arati Kadav, the film features an ensemble cast, including:
Sanya Malhotra
Kanwaljit Singh
Nishant Dahiya
Aparna Ghoshal
Nitya Moyal
Viraj Mundkar
Varun Badola

The film boldly critiques patriarchy within the Indian household, sparking debate on gender roles and family dynamics. With Kangana’s latest remarks, the conversation surrounding tradition vs. modernity in Indian families has intensified even further.