What Jeo Baby's "The Great Indian Kitchen" Has That "Mrs." Doesn't

We have seen Malayalam films being remade into Hindi and other languages but often fall short of expectations, as the makers struggle to capture the essence of the original while adapting it for different audiences.

However, Mrs., by Aarti Kadav, which is a remake of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen by Jeo Baby, has garnered attention as it was premiered at the Melbourne Film Festival last year and later released on Zee5 in February 2025.

It has become the talk of the town for its impactful portrayal, proving that despite being a remake and somehow succeeds in delivering a relatable and powerful experience alike.

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One key difference that makes The Great Indian Kitchen more impactful than Mrs. is the absence of specific character names.

In The Great Indian Kitchen, the director uses this lack of individual identification to direct attention to broader societal issues, with patriarchy represented as a collective force rather than tied to any one character. It could be anyone in the society as Jeo Baby points fingers at each being.

On the contrary, the characters in Mrs. are portrayed by different names, with Sanya Malhotra playing Richa Sharma, Nishant Dahiya as Diwakar Kumar, and so on.

The director explores the dynamics of one family constrained by patriarchy and societal expectations, shedding light on the intricate layers of these social conditions.

Despite the surface-level narrative, the film attempted to narrate the deeper meanings, similar to how The Great Indian Kitchen highlights the hidden struggles within traditional roles.

Another noteworthy difference is that Mrs. features a much cleaner, more immaculate setting compared to the typical household depicted in The Great Indian Kitchen.

In The Great Indian Kitchen, we can relate to the struggles through the portrayal of untidy, chaotic chores and a more realistic, raw atmosphere. In contrast, Mrs. presents a tidier and visually more appealing environment and a cleaner and more pleasant aesthetic.

Both films serve as critical commentaries on the way patriarchal systems trap women in restrictive roles, particularly within the confines of the household.

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The Great Indian Kitchen takes a more subtle yet devastatingly accurate approach to this issue. It goes deeper into the emotional and psychological consequences of being relegated to domestic labour without any recognition.

The film also explores how societal expectations of women as caregivers and homemakers are glorified and internalised.

In Mrs, while the message remains the same, there is a greater emphasis on the character’s desire for personal fulfilment and identity outside of domestic duties.

Sanya Malhotra delivers a standout performance in Mrs., earning all the appreciation she deserves. However, when comparing it to The Great Indian Kitchen, Nimisha Sajayan’s portrayal of a woman confined to housework feels far more intense.

One striking scene in The Great Indian Kitchen shows Nimisha wiping away food remnants from the table, where her husband and father-in-law have spat out leftovers—this moment is presented in a way that evokes strong anger and frustration.

In contrast, Mrs. takes a milder approach, with Sanya’s character being portrayed as more progressive and modern in her household role.

The urban context of Mrs allows the film to touch upon themes of modern relationships, expectations, and the growing tension between the need for independence and the societal requirement of conformity.

In The Great Indian Kitchen, every scene is carefully crafted and narrated, with Jeo Baby addressing patriarchy as the central issue.

In contrast, Mrs. lacks some of these contextual layers, as it doesn’t delve as deeply into the complexities of its themes. The Great Indian Kitchen weaves intricate details into the kitchen scenes. However, Mrs. misses out on exploring such nuances.

However, the remake stays true to the original, with minor changes to fit the local setting. While the original film conveyed a strong feminist message, the remake focuses on the feeling of suffocation the main character, Richa, experiences. The Great Indian Kitchen is powerful and anger-inducing, whereas Mrs. leaves viewers with a heavy heart.

Director Arati Kadav attempted a similar perspective, likely influenced by her experience as a woman. However, it’s remarkable that the original Malayalam film was directed by a man, Jeo Baby, who managed to portray a woman’s struggle in such a powerful way that no remake could surpass or express it better.