Men's rights group demands ban on 'Mrs.': Controversy explained
What's the story
The recent release, Mrs., starring Sanya Malhotra, has received widespread acclaim from Indian women who relate to the film's portrayal of a housewife balancing her duties and dreams. However, the Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) has slammed the film on social media for what they see as an unwarranted promotion of feminism. Their remarks have downplayed the struggles of housewives, igniting a heated online debate. Here's what they said.
Social media backlash
SIFF's controversial tweets about women's household work
SIFF ignited a storm with their tweets implying women aren't stressed with household chores. They claimed, "What stress does a woman feel while chopping vegetables and cooking food on a gas stove or doing dishes wearing gloves? Zero, Nothing. In fact, cooking is like a meditation." They also demanded a public apology from the filmmakers, the withdrawal of Mrs. from streaming platforms, and even government action to block the release of "gender-biased" films. These remarks were widely condemned by netizens.
Twitter Post
SIFF's controversial tweet on 'Mrs.'
The games feminists play is,
— SIFF - Save Indian Family Foundation (@realsiff) February 17, 2025
Women's are suffering, children are not facing any abuse in families.
Women are suffering, men are not facing any crimes.
Women are suffering abuse, senior citizens are not facing harassment in family.
Women are suffering abuse, the physically and… pic.twitter.com/osQjx8AuHt
Remarks
Group labeled 'Mrs.' as a 'leftist propaganda movie'
With over 38.7K followers on X, the group also recently labeled Mrs. as "a leftist propaganda movie" with a dual agenda of catering to "the fetish of male chauvinists." They claimed, "Unlike Men's Activists, who are often scared of women, chauvinists feel all-powerful with respect to women & they get horny imagining a young, vulnerable married woman." "Every false accuser woman's family paints her as the character from the movie Mrs. or the movie Darlings."
Producer's response
'Mrs.' producer Harman Baweja defended the film amid controversy
In the wake of the controversy, Mrs. producer Harman Baweja came out in support of the film and feminism. He told News18 Showsha, "I'm way past the infuriated stage now. It will take a lot to infuriate me." "Maybe, that section of men is looking at this film as a solution and saying that this is the exactly representation of all men, which isn't necessarily the truth." He said, "It's important to not look at the film in isolation."
Film's perspective
SIFF bashed Baweja
However, SIFF hit back at Baweja with a sharp response, stating, "Harman Baweja was the lead actor of a pathetic movie called What's Your Raashee? In that film, to solve their financial problems, his boomer parents make him date 12 females so that he can get a huge dowry." "One female tries to rape him, that too while uttering the name of Lord Krishna. So, you can imagine," the tweet read.
Twitter Post
Take a look at the post here
Harman Baweja was the lead actor of a pathetic movie called,"What's ur Raashee?"
— SIFF - Save Indian Family Foundation (@realsiff) February 19, 2025
In that film, to solve their financial problems, his boomer parents make him date 12 females so that he can get a huge dowry.
One female tries to rape him, that too while uttering the name of Lord… https://t.co/FuyY3fBgF0
Reactions
'I knew this would happen': How social media users reacted
Their posts sparked strong reactions from users, with one commenting, "I knew this would happen when a woman-centric movie on a woman's struggle would release!! I knew all the fragile masculine men would pounce on it and call it propaganda." Another user said, "Which low-IQ scumbag is handling this account? Women don't do menial jobs ?? Is this guy living in lala land?? (sic)." A third user added, "Petition to start 'Save India from SIFF.'"