
Director Arati Kadav Criticizes Bollywood’s Romanticized and ‘Gender-Neutral’ Portrayal of Karwa Chauth
9 days ago | 5 Views
Filmmaker Arati Kadav, who directed the film Mrs, has expressed her views on the Karwa Chauth sequence featured in the movie. In an interview with Indian Express, Arati conveyed her concerns regarding Bollywood's representation of the ritual, stating that it has romanticized the practice, transforming it into a celebratory and seemingly gender-neutral event, which does not reflect its true nature.
Arati Kadav talks about Karwa Chauth
In discussing the Indian festival of Karwa Chauth, Arati expressed that she considered it "the most appropriate cultural reference" to include Mrs. Arati stated, "Firstly, in the current environment, making explicit religious declarations is not as straightforward. The original work was remarkable, yet it was also closely connected to the socio-cultural contexts of the South. With our adaptation, I aimed to represent the world in which I was raised — and in North India, Karwa Chauth emerged as the most suitable cultural reference."
Arati Kadav on Bollyood's portrayal of Karwa Chauth
The director has indicated that the Hindi film industry has normalized the observance of Karwa Chauth, which has had a significant impact on multiple generations. "Notably, the scene depicting Karwa Chauth was incorporated at the last moment, merely 20 days before filming. I found myself pondering, 'How can we create a Hindi film centred on domestic life without including Karwa Chauth?' Particularly given Bollywood's tendency to glorify the ritual, transforming it into a celebratory and even gender-neutral event. This representation concerns me. Our films have entrenched it to such a degree that it has begun to shape the perspectives of entire generations," she remarked.
Karwa Chauth scene
In the narrative, Richa (Sanya Malhotra), a recently married bride to Diwakar (Nishant Dahiya), experiences her inaugural Karwa Chauth. With her mother-in-law Meena Kumar (Aparna Ghoshal) absent, Diwakar's aunt (Loveleen Mishra) comes to visit. She insists that Richa partake in various rituals, even though Richa is reluctant to engage in them fully.
About Mrs
In the film, Richa (portrayed by Sanya) is an aspiring dancer who finds herself married into a patriarchal household, where her role is confined to domestic duties. However, she ultimately challenges this oppression. Richa embarks on a journey of self-discovery, striving to establish her own identity.
The film delves into themes of resilience, self-exploration, and the obstacles women encounter in their quest for empowerment. Directed by Arati, it is an adaptation of the acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen. The movie, available for streaming on ZEE5, also features performances by Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh.
Read Also: When Ranbir Kapoor’s Call Left Chhaava Star Vineet Kumar Singh Shocked!
Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!
HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!
#