Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh, who played the role of Sanya Malhotra’s father-in-law in the movie Mrs., recently opened up about why he felt compelled to apologise to his co-star after watching the film. Since its premiere on Zee5, Mrs. has become a topic of intense discussion, with audiences divided on its portrayal of societal norms and patriarchal mindsets. The film, which also stars Nishant Dahiya, delves into the life of a woman navigating the rigid expectations of a traditional family structure.
The movie’s powerful narrative has sparked debates about the deep-seated patriarchy in Indian households, and Kanwaljit Singh’s role in particular has been a major talking point. The seasoned actor revealed in an interview that after watching the film, he was so disturbed by his character’s behavior that he felt the need to personally apologise to Sanya Malhotra.
Kanwaljit Singh On Why He Apologised To Sanya Malhotra
In Mrs., Sanya Malhotra portrays Richa, a woman who struggles against the oppressive expectations of her in-laws. Kanwaljit Singh plays her traditional and rigid father-in-law, a man who constantly criticizes her, undermines her efforts, and imposes patriarchal norms on her. Throughout the film, Richa’s efforts to assert her independence are met with strong resistance, particularly from Kanwaljit’s character, who represents the deeply ingrained biases of older generations.
Kanwaljit Singh admitted in an interview with India Today that he had almost forgotten about the character he played since he had worked on several other projects after Mrs. was filmed. When the production team invited him to the film’s red carpet event, he was reminded of his role and finally watched the movie in its entirety.
Recalling his reaction after watching the film, Kanwaljit said:
“All I remember is how I ate a lot of food during the shoot; otherwise, I didn’t remember much about the film. Since then, I have worked on almost four other projects, so I had forgotten all about the character. But when I saw the film, I felt so disgusted by my character’s actions that I instantly went to Sanya and apologised to her.”
Sanya Malhotra’s Reaction To Kanwaljit’s Apology
Kanwaljit Singh also revealed that Sanya Malhotra was completely taken aback when he apologised to her after the screening. He explained that while his character was fictional, playing such a role made him feel deeply uncomfortable upon seeing the final product. He expressed that it was unsettling to realise how convincingly he had portrayed the oppressive father-in-law, to the extent that it disturbed even him.
Speaking about Sanya’s reaction, he said:
“Sanya was quite surprised when I apologised to her. She did an outstanding job in the film, but I could see how difficult it must have been for her to act in those scenes. Watching it back, I felt guilty for being part of that oppression, even though it was just acting. That’s the power of storytelling—it makes you reflect.”
Kanwaljit Singh On The Criticism Surrounding His Role
With Mrs. sparking widespread discussions about patriarchal traditions and gender roles, Kanwaljit Singh acknowledged that audiences sometimes struggle to separate an actor from their on-screen character. He noted that people had criticised him for playing a role that reinforced regressive ideologies. However, he believes that the film’s ability to generate conversations is a sign of its success.
“Honestly, people sometimes get deeply involved with films and characters. They forget that I have also been part of Family No. 1—I am not like that in real life. But when you see such discussions happening, it’s a victory for the filmmakers. It’s important that audiences understand they are not supposed to be like this character. The fact that people are talking about the film, whether positively or negatively, is a great takeaway.”
Kanwaljit Singh emphasised that as an actor, his job is to bring authenticity to every character, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.
Kanwaljit Singh On Getting Into Character
Discussing his approach to acting, Kanwaljit Singh shared how he fully immerses himself in his roles, even when the character embodies values that he personally disagrees with. He explained that his character in Mrs. is a product of a deeply patriarchal mindset, which he had to portray convincingly to do justice to the story.
He elaborated on how he got into the skin of the character:
“These fatherly figures in the north have a peculiar way of speaking. They often say ‘beta ji’ in a way that sounds affectionate, but in reality, their words are laced with control and authority. While shooting, I really thought about how such a character would behave. I had to strike a balance—I couldn’t play him like a stereotypical villain, but rather as someone who genuinely believes he is right. He’s a control freak with deeply ingrained patriarchal values. He just doesn’t know any better.”
Kanwaljit Singh further explained that his goal as an actor is to portray his characters as authentically as possible, even if that means making audiences uncomfortable. He believes that such roles help shine a light on societal issues, ultimately encouraging discussion and change.
The Impact Of Mrs. On Audiences
Since its release, Mrs. has sparked intense conversations about gender roles, domestic power dynamics, and the struggles faced by women in patriarchal households. While some viewers resonated deeply with Richa’s struggles, others criticised the film for portraying harsh realities that many would rather ignore.
Kanwaljit Singh’s powerful performance, along with Sanya Malhotra’s gripping portrayal of Richa, has left a lasting impact on audiences. By apologising to Sanya, Kanwaljit not only acknowledged the emotional weight of the film but also reinforced the importance of discussing and challenging outdated societal norms.
As Mrs. continues to make waves, the discussions it has sparked prove that films have the power to influence thought and inspire change—one powerful story at a time.