Exclusive - Arati Kadav talks about Mrs success and industry’s bias towards women directors, says ‘Our goal isn't just about women empowerment, but…’

Mrs director Arati Kadav with the star cast.

For years, Bollywood has been synonymous with grand spectacles, but a quiet revolution has been taking shape, one that brings everyday struggles and triumphs to the forefront.

Films like Piku, Thappad, Tarla, Chhatriwali, Laapataa Ladies, and now Mrs. are shifting the industry’s focus to deeply personal, socially relevant narratives.

Among them, Mrs., which is streaming successfully on ZEE5, stands out as a deeply introspective take on a woman’s journey to reclaim her right in a world that often defines her by traditional roles.

Directed by Arati Kadav, Mrs., sensitively captures the relatable struggles of women as they strive to meet societal norms while staying true to themselves.

In an exclusive conversation with Money Control ahead of Women’s Day, Arati Kadav, explained what shaped Mrs in her mind.

“Every woman has felt the weight of gender roles – questioning whether they align with her interests, her competencies, or her passion. I had read somewhere that a woman is born whole, but every day, she is stripped of her wholeness. That thought shaped Mrs. – the story of a passionate, wide-eyed woman eager to live life fully, only to realize the world may not have the space for her to be entirely herself,” she told Money Control.

Arati said her goal from Mrs. was ‘but said she yearned for a world where both men and women can lead fuller versions of their lives. not just about women’s empowerment’

“I hope we have been able to shed light on this invisible labour, work that has been done without respect, appreciation, or recognition. This is an unfair burden on 50% of the population, and it’s the reason so many bright women never get to achieve their full potential. Our goal is not just about women’s empowerment, it’s about building a world where both men and women can lead fuller versions of their lives, have a vision for their future, and contribute equally to families and society.”

Arati said bringing such a story to life was not without challenges and like many women in the industry, she had to carve out her own space.

“The challenges were there, but I learned by making a lot of short films. That helped me gain command over my craft, build a team that believed in my vision, and understand how to navigate the chaos,” she recalls.

Arati said though she never felt intimidated but was often made to feel out of place. “People took their time having faith in my capabilities and the stories I wanted to tell. It was a long struggle to change that mindset.”

Arati says though the film industry has evolved over the years but believes that biases still exist.

“People are slightly more open to the idea of women directors now, which is a refreshing change and a great start,” she acknowledges. However, women filmmakers still face an unspoken limitation—being expected to only tell women-centric stories. “Yes, we bring unique insights to these narratives, but we are just as capable of mastering any genre,” said Arati.

With Mrs. and films like Laapataa Ladies gaining widespread recognition, Arati says the industry is beginning to place greater faith in women filmmakers.

“I hope this trust reflects in the budgets that get greenlit and in the enthusiasm for the stories we want to tell,” she added.

For aspiring women filmmakers, her advice is simple ‘be a little deaf when people say you can’t do it.’

Excerpts from the interview:

As a woman director, what inspired you to tell the story of Mrs, and how do you think it resonates with women across different walks of life?

Arati: I think gender colours the way every woman views the world. Every woman has experienced the uncomfortable expectation of gender roles and has questioned whether those roles align with her interest, her competency or her passion.

I had read somewhere that a woman is born as a whole human but every day, she is stripped of her wholeness. In Mrs we tell the story of a very passionate, wide-eyed girl who is keep to live her life fully and starts wondering if the world even has room for her being fully herself. I feel those emotions of hope, of initially seeking validation, of small heartbreaks resonated with lot of women.

Women's Day is a celebration of women's empowerment and equality. How do you think Mrs contributes to this narrative, and what message do you hope audiences take away from the film?

Arati: I hope we have been able to shed light on the invisible labor that women have been doing from generations - unpaid, not respected, not appreciated. This is an unfair load on 50% of the population and the reason so many bright women do not achieve their full potential. I hope people take the message that our goal is that both women and men lead a life where they live a more fuller version of themselves, have a vision of their life and contribute equally to our families and societies.

Ques: As a director, are there any challenges you face in bringing your stories, ideas to life?

Arati: The challenges are there, and I figured and learned by making lots of short films. It helped me gain command over my craft, build my team of people who believed in my vision and also I learnt how to navigate the chaos.

Ques: Earlier film direction or we would say any workplace was seen as male-dominated - did you initially get intimidated during your work in this field?

Arati: I didn’t get intimidated, but I was made to feel inadequate or out of place. I also used to feel that it was taking people time to have faith in my capabilities and stories. And it was a long struggle to change that mindset.

Mrs

Ques: How have now things changed for women in direction or any creative field we would say?

Arati: People are slightly more open to the idea of women directors. Which is a very refreshing change and a great start.

Ques: Do you think there is a cliched look that women directors will make certain kinds of movies? Do you feel discriminated?

Arati: Yes- I think a woman director can master any genre, but they are expected to mostly tell women stories - while women do tell women stories better, they also sometimes can do other genres with equal competency.

Ques: With Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies and your Mrs getting immense fame - what change do you see in the industry towards you or women directors in general?

Arati: I hope there is more faith in our work and that we can see in terms of the budgets that will be greenlit. Also, more excitement for the stories we want to tell.

Ques: What advice would you give to aspiring women filmmakers or storytellers who are looking to make their mark in the industry?

Arati: I would advise to have a lot of grit and to not give up. Also be a little deaf when people say you can’t do it, or you are not good enough. Keep honing your craft and keep looking for opportunities to work.

Mrs is running successfully on Zee5. Women's Day is being celebrated on March 8.