Mrs On ZEE5 EXCLUSIVE! Director Aarti Kadav On Her Vision For Film's Look, Most Rewarding Feedback & More

Mrs. on ZEE5: When your labour of hard work gets applause from all corners, you're bound to be excited and cheerful. Aarti Kadav is on cloud nine as her film Mrs. has shattered all the viewership records upon its premiere on ZEE5. The drama film that showcases the journey of a newly married women, who navigated the regressive patriarchal norms, received an amazing response from the audience.

As Mrs. continues to make waves in the digital space, Filmibeat interacted with Aarti Kadav to know more about her vision for the film. From sharing the most rewarding feedback to talking about the protoganist's journey, she barred her heart out in the exclusive interview.

Here are excerpts from the interview-

1.Mrs. has been showcased at prestigious film festivals worldwide. What was the most rewarding feedback you received from international audiences?

I was fortunate that MRS premiered in many prestigious film festivals - Tallinn Black Nights, Palm Springs, Chicago Indian Films Festival, New York Indian Film Festival where it was nominated for best director and best actress and won Sanya the Best Actress Award. We also showed at Melbourne where again Sanya was nominated for best actress. We had a Gala Premiere at IFFI Goa where the audience thronged us and spoke to us fo so long that we had to step out and continue the conversation. The response everywhere has been heartwarming with people relating to the film and relating to the character.

2.The film's visuals seem to play an important role in complementing its themes. Can you tell us more about your vision for the film's look and feel?

I love playing with colors in my films. Initially, one would wonder what colors to give to a film set in a kitchen, where the film also has to look realistic. So I told my team heads that let's go with elevated realism and play with intricate patterns, make this as detailed a set as possible. Color wise the film was mustard yellow, browns and greens for me and Richa was a bright red entry in the new house who gradually started merging with her surroundings every passing day.

The house was the nest the mother carefully made, her passion instead of going outward, came inward - and we took lot of care to respect that about the character - for example the tiles with blue flowers were custom made for the film and every tea cup was carefully chosen maybe by mother-in-law years ago when her family was growing and she has enthusiasm for life. There was a motif of flowers associated with Richa - as the film was about her blossoming and motif of mirror as well, as the film is about her self-identity.

We were careful that no element was accidental, every object had to have a story, every food item had to be unique that piques interest.

3- The protagonist's journey is about resisting societal norms. How did you approach depicting this resistance without being overly dramatic?

I feel if we rightly feed the audience with correct emotions and program the right instincts in the story, they get the story and enjoy it and take the message in more strongly than if I just make a character say the lines in a jingoistic way.

However I feel a lot of credit goes to actors who found the right note to play their characters in the film. They all were clear that there were no villains and did not need to play the role like one. Infact right from Nishant (playing Diwakar), and Kawaljit ji (playing father) there was a clear instruction that your point of view is correct, you are as much stuck with a daughter in law that doesn't get your needs as much as she is stuck with a family who doesn't get her.

4.Mrs. premiered on ZEE5. How do you feel about the platform's ability to take such a powerful story to a diverse and expansive audience?

I am extremely thrilled and truly grateful that ZEE5 has picked this film as it has the reach to take this story in every house of this country and has deep reach in all the cities of this country. It is the story that will spark important conversation and it needs to be viewed by as many people as possible. To collaborate with such a wonderful and mature platform that also has the largest audience has been a blessing. I really love how they are going all out with the publicity and marketing of the film and I am genuinely loving the entire team. It has been a very rewarding and fulfilling association."

Mrs. is available for streaming exclusively on ZEE5.