What is invisible abuse that Sanya Malhotra’s 'Mrs.' shines light on?

Sanya Malhotra’s latest film Mrs. delves into the theme of patriarchy, focusing on newlywed Richa, who is confined to acting as a servant to her new husband and in-laws. Despite her passion for dancing, no one is ready to take Richa seriously, putting a dent in her relationship with her husband.

While this can be a simple way to describe the film, this Arati Kadav directorial goes far deeper than just portraying patriarchy. Mrs., a remake of Jeo Baby’s 2021 Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, does not merely scratch the surface of patriarchy and its effects on women, but truly breaks down the complexities of a seemingly loving relationship that ultimately falls apart.

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While the film starts with Richa, filled with excitement and optimism about joining her new family and starting a life with her husband, the audience can’t help but feel that somehow she has become entrapped in a cycle of submission. Always at the beck-and-call of her dear husband Diwakar and her in-laws, the viewer follows her descent into despair. Even their intimate sexual relationship is destroyed when Diwakar does not offer an ear to Richa’s painful calls. And while the film does not show any form of physical abuse, it perfectly encapsulates the impact of invisible abuse.

How to identify invisible abuse?

Invisible abuse, closely related to psychological abuse, is often difficult to identify. It can go unnoticed because the victim’s judgement is clouded by their circumstance. Suffering in silence, this form of abuse does no outward signs, the only repercussions are felt internally.

A person who goes through invisible abuse may view themselves as locked in a mental case, unable to escape, the key in the hands of the abuser. The victim may feel stripped away from those they consider close to them, so no hand comes reaching out to rescue them. Unlike physical abuse, which shows up as scars on the body, invisible abuse translates to stress and anxiety so crippling that one may feel lost, dazed, and disconnected from the real world.

This mental burden can weigh down a person immensely, unable to function in everyday tasks, and by the time others start to notice that something is wrong, you may have already fallen too deep into the spiral of despair.

If you ever find yourself trapped in any form abuse, whether it be from your partner, friend, or anyone close to you, never hesitate to reach out for help to avoid suffering in silence.

Mrs. is available to stream on Zee5.