Sanya Malhotra's film "Mrs" has garnered exceptional reviews and created a significant buzz on social media since its release on ZEE5 on February 7. Directed by Arati Kadav, the film features Sanya in the role of Richa, an aspiring dancer who is married to Diwakar Kumar, portrayed by Nishant Dahiya. Following her marriage, she finds herself in a patriarchal household where her role is confined to domestic responsibilities. Nevertheless, she ultimately stands up against her oppression.

In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, actor Nishant Dahiya shared his thoughts on the film's reception, the intense reactions to his character since its debut, and the film's underlying message.

On the response to the film

Regarding the film's reception, Nishant Dahiya remarked, “The response has been quite surprising. I honestly did not anticipate that the film would resonate with such a broad audience. When creating a film, the goal is to produce a quality piece that reaches viewers. For 'Mrs,' it has surpassed my expectations, and I believe this sentiment is shared by everyone involved in the project. I have received messages from numerous sources, and I take great pride in that. Even friends who typically prefer action or adventure films have reached out to me, which was a delightful surprise. Some of them jokingly suggested that I should have warned them not to watch it with their wives (laughs), as now I find myself receiving glances from my own wife regarding my work!”

Most extreme reactions were from men

The actor expressed his astonishment at the intensity of some reactions and messages he received, noting that a few individuals even directed abusive comments towards him after viewing the film. He remarked, “Regarding my character, I have experienced a significant amount of love-hate! I have received many kind messages from women who have conveyed their disdain for my character Diwakar while simultaneously appreciating my performance. However, the most extreme responses have come from men! I have received messages such as, ‘You foolish actor, go consume rat poison!’ and ‘Perish somewhere, you scoundrel!’ If these comments had come from a woman, I might have understood, but they are coming from men. I believe it reflects their feelings towards Diwakar, indicating that something about him struck a nerve with them.

"There was also a peculiar message that I cannot recall entirely, but it suggested something along the lines of, ‘You are unworthy of being an actor! If you were truly worthy, you would not have accepted such a poor role. You lack the judgment to choose a part.’”

‘95% of the men are like Diwakar’

Nishant further elaborated, “If we observe our surroundings, it is evident that 95% of men are akin to Diwakar. I am not exaggerating; this is the reality. It pertains to self-awareness as well. Many individuals remain oblivious to their actions and behaviors. This lack of awareness is a significant issue. Do men truly recognize their actions? Diwakar is not inherently a bad person; rather, he is conditioned in such a way that he fails to perceive the implications of his behavior. With Richa's departure and Diwakar's subsequent remarriage, it becomes clear that Diwakar and his family have yet to acknowledge that they are part of the problem. There is a lack of recognition regarding their actions.”

Nishant reveals that he initially declined the role when it was first presented to him. What prompted his change of heart? He explains, “When Aarti approached me with the film, my immediate response was negative. Having watched The Great Indian Kitchen, I had a strong aversion to the male character, which led me to reject the offer outright. However, during our meeting, I was unaware that she was referring to this particular film and the role she had in mind for me. After I declined, she encouraged me to reconsider. Upon returning home, I reflected on the offer and consulted with Mukesh Chhabra, the casting director, who also reached out to me, questioning my refusal. He suggested that I should think it over and reassess my feelings by morning. The most challenging aspect of portraying Diwakar was overcoming my prior disdain for the character from the earlier film. My primary task was to detach from those negative feelings and find a connection with Diwakar to authentically embody him. It is difficult to portray a character one dislikes. I needed to approach it with a fresh perspective. When I met Aarti again, I was struck by her passion for the project and her empathy. She was genuinely committed to creating a meaningful film, and I recognized the relevance of this subject in today’s context. It also presented a personal challenge for me to explore something new with the role and to start anew.”

The film has faced criticism from certain segments of social media, which claim that it endorses 'toxic feminism.' In response, Nishant stated, “I believe our film transcends the notion of a woman simply declaring, ‘I do not wish to engage in household duties.’ Its scope is much wider; it centers on empowering women to make their own choices. It is about her autonomy. If she chooses to be a homemaker, that is perfectly acceptable. The film does not advocate against homemaking or insist that she must pursue a career outside the home. It emphasizes the importance of mutual respect between partners and honoring each other's decisions regarding their paths. When individuals assert that this film undermines the sanctity of marriage, I find myself questioning that perspective, as the film has never aimed to convey such a message. It is fundamentally about chasing one's aspirations, engaging in activities that bring personal fulfillment, and enjoying the freedom to make those choices.”

Mrs is available for viewing on ZEE5.

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