Zee5’s recently released movie, Mrs., directed by Arati Kadav, has sparked intense discussions among audiences, particularly women, as it brings to light some uncomfortable realities of married life in India. While the film has been widely appreciated, one actor has been at the receiving end of significant backlash—Nishant Dahiya. His portrayal of a patriarchal and emotionally abusive husband has made him the ‘most hated man’ on the internet, albeit in good taste, as it also highlights his acting prowess.
Mrs. – The Great Indian Kitchen’s Official Remake
Mrs. premiered on Zee5 on February 7, 2025, coinciding with the first day of Valentine’s Week, making it a fitting watch for Rose Day. The film captures the initial beauty of arranged marriages but then shifts focus to the unsettling reality that many Indian women endure daily.
Directed by Arati Kadav, Mrs. is the official Hindi remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen (2021), which was helmed by Jeo Baby. The original film was widely praised for its hard-hitting narrative about gender roles, patriarchy, and the unpaid labor that women are expected to perform in marriage. The Hindi adaptation carries forward the same essence while setting the story in North India, making it more relatable to a wider audience.
Why Arati Kadav Chose to Remake The Great Indian Kitchen in Hindi
In an interview with Hindustan Times, director Arati Kadav shared her reasons for bringing this story to Hindi-speaking audiences. She revealed that her mother, like many others, couldn’t watch The Great Indian Kitchen due to the language barrier and lack of familiarity with subtitles. This realization inspired her to make Mrs. so that more people in North India could access the story and its powerful message.
She explained:
“I felt that this story needs to be set in North India and reach a larger audience. This film is so relevant for North India. I felt they needed to see it.”
Mrs. Breaks Records, Sanya Malhotra Shines in Lead Role
The film has not only received critical acclaim but has also been a massive success on the streaming platform. Mrs. recorded the biggest opening for a Zee5 film and quickly became the most searched movie on Google.
Starring Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya, Kanwaljit Singh, Aparna Ghoshal, and Mrinal Kulkarni, the film boasts a stellar cast. Sanya Malhotra, in particular, has been lauded for her exceptional performance in the emotionally intense role of a woman navigating a stifling marriage. However, while Sanya has received widespread praise, Nishant Dahiya has been facing a unique kind of response.
Nishant Dahiya: The Actor Who Is Being Hated For His Role As Diwakar Kumar
Nishant Dahiya plays the role of ‘Diwakar Kumar,’ the patriarchal husband of Sanya Malhotra’s character in Mrs. His portrayal of a controlling and emotionally abusive husband has been so convincing that audiences have struggled to separate the actor from his on-screen character. The internet has been flooded with negative comments directed at him, a testament to how well he played the role.
Although he has joined the list of infamous toxic male characters in Indian cinema, his performance has proven his acting prowess. Many actors aspire to deliver such convincing performances, even if it means being hated for their characters.
Nishant Dahiya On Facing Online Hate
In an interview with Mid-Day, Nishant Dahiya acknowledged that he was prepared for the backlash that would come with playing such a controversial role. He admitted that he had watched The Great Indian Kitchen before signing Mrs. and had despised the character of the husband. Initially, he was hesitant to take on the role because he feared being hated by the audience.
He recalled:
“I had seen The Great Indian Kitchen [2021] before and loved the [story] but hated the husband’s character. So, when Mrs. was offered to me, my first reaction was, ‘I don’t want to be this person.’ I didn’t want people hating me. After Kedarnath [2018], people abused me on social media. The smallest of things affect me. One [negative] comment also affects me a lot. But I am trying to work on that.”
Nishant Dahiya’s Journey: From Engineering To Acting
For those unfamiliar with Nishant Dahiya’s background, he was born on January 4, 1991, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. His father, Rajendra Singh, served in the Indian Army, while his mother is a homemaker. Due to his father’s job, Nishant moved across multiple cities during his schooling years.
He pursued a B.Tech degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Kurukshetra, Haryana. However, his passion for the entertainment industry led him to participate in Grasim Mr. India (2006), where he finished as the first runner-up. This paved the way for him to enter the modeling world, and soon, he made his way into Bollywood.
Nishant Dahiya’s Acting Career: From Debut To Stardom
Nishant’s big break came when Yash Raj Films spotted him and signed him for Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011). He then appeared in films like:
- Titoo MBA (2014)
- Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017)
- Kedarnath (2018)
- Raat Akeli Hai (2020)
- 83 (2021)
- Akelli (2023)
With the success of Mrs., Nishant Dahiya has proven that he is a versatile actor who can take on challenging roles. His ability to make audiences loathe his character speaks volumes about his talent.
The Impact of Mrs.: A Conversation Starter
Beyond the performances, Mrs. has succeeded in starting an important conversation about gender roles and societal expectations within Indian marriages. The film’s hard-hitting narrative forces viewers to reflect on the systemic issues that women face daily. While some may argue that the film exaggerates certain aspects, many women relate to its storyline, making it a crucial film in today’s times.
Final Thoughts: Is Mrs. A Must-Watch?
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking film that challenges societal norms and presents a deeply emotional story, Mrs. is a must-watch. Sanya Malhotra delivers one of her best performances to date, and Nishant Dahiya proves his mettle as an actor, even if it means becoming ‘the most hated man’ on the internet.
What are your thoughts on Mrs. and the performances of Sanya Malhotra and Nishant Dahiya? Let us know in the comments!