Mrs director Arati Kadav dislikes how Bollywood has ‘glorified’ Karwa Chauth, made it appear ‘gender-neutral’ !!

Mrs director Arati Kadav has spoken out against Bollywood’s portrayal of Karwa Chauth in her film. In Mrs, Sanya Malhotra’s character, Richa, observes her first Karwa Chauth under the guidance of Diwakar’s aunt, while Nishant Dahiya plays Diwakar Kumar. Arati, in an interview with Indian Express, expressed her discontent with how the industry has normalized and even made the ritual appear gender-neutral, despite its deep-rooted cultural significance.

She explained that the decision to include a Karwa Chauth scene came as a last-minute addition—only 20 days before shooting—because she felt it was essential to reflect the North Indian cultural reality she grew up with. While acknowledging that the original ritual in South India was portrayed beautifully, Arati felt that in North India, Karwa Chauth carries a different weight, one that has been overly glorified and misrepresented by Bollywood. She warned that this sanitized portrayal has influenced entire generations, diluting the ritual’s true significance.

Mrs, an adaptation of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, explores themes of patriarchy, resilience, and self-discovery, and is available for streaming on ZEE5.

Mrs director Arati Kadav has spoken out against Bollywood’s portrayal of Karwa Chauth in her film. In Mrs, Sanya Malhotra’s character, Richa, observes her first Karwa Chauth under the guidance of Diwakar’s aunt, while Nishant Dahiya plays Diwakar Kumar. Arati, in an interview with Indian Express, expressed her discontent with how the industry has normalized and even made the ritual appear gender-neutral, despite its deep-rooted cultural significance.

She explained that the decision to include a Karwa Chauth scene came as a last-minute addition—only 20 days before shooting—because she felt it was essential to reflect the North Indian cultural reality she grew up with. While acknowledging that the original ritual in South India was portrayed beautifully, Arati felt that in North India, Karwa Chauth carries a different weight, one that has been overly glorified and misrepresented by Bollywood. She warned that this sanitized portrayal has influenced entire generations, diluting the ritual’s true significance.

Mrs, an adaptation of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, explores themes of patriarchy, resilience, and self-discovery, and is available for streaming on ZEE5.