Says Kanwaljit Singh who plays the nitpicking father-in-law, a character so deeply entrenched in patriarchy
Sanya Malhotra’s latest film, MRS, has sparked intense debate. An adaptation of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, it opened to rave reviews but also faced criticism from a section of viewers who labeled it “a feminist propaganda.”
At the heart of MRS is the story of Richa (played by Sanya Malhotra), a young bride whose life is reduced to an endless cycle of domestic chores. Her dreams fade into the background as she navigates a home where her individuality is gradually erased. Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh plays the nitpicking father-in-law, a character so deeply entrenched in patriarchy that even he found it unsettling.
After watching the film, Kanwaljit instinctively apologized to his co-star. “My father was a very liberal man. Before leaving for work, he would make tea for both my mother and himself. But when I saw the film, all I could remember from the shoot was just eating. I was ashamed of my character. I thought, what a cruel man. I immediately went up to Sanya and said, I am sorry, beta. Though she said ‘it’s just a character,’ still, Ashwin Kumar is not a man I can ever be.
Not all men are mean
Despite the film’s acclaim, a section of men has accused MRS of promoting toxic femininity and being unfairly anti-men. Kanwaljit, however, is clear about the film’s intent. “My character is not a reflection of men at large. This is a family steeped in patriarchy, whether it’s the father-in-law or the husband, their conditioning is deeply ingrained. They are oblivious to how they treat the women in their home. I deliberately chose not to watch the original Great Indian Kitchen because I wanted to bring my own interpretation to the role.
His character has also become the subject of social media memes. “The hate is directed at Ashwin Kumar, not me. But I have been getting hate mail. Some women even told me they can’t stand being called ‘Betaji’ anymore because it now feels like passive aggression. But those who understand the craft appreciated my performance.”
Beyond social media numbers
Kanwaljit remains unfazed by today’s social media-driven industry. “Talent isn’t measured by social media algorithms. There are brilliant actors out there who don’t even have social media handles. Do you think Naseeruddin Shah worries about his Instagram reach? You can’t cast actors based on their number of followers — you cast them because they suit the role,” he says.
With a career spanning four decades across television, films, and streaming platforms, Kanwaljit believes that reinvention is key. “I love my job and want to keep working for as long as I can. People ask why I choose father or grandfather roles, but I see this as the most creative phase of my career. When you’re young, you rarely get roles that allow you to experiment. Now, I get to explore characters with layers, it’s not just about playing black or white.”
On Neena Gupta
He is full of admiration for his Saans co-star Neena Gupta. “She is a commendable person. Also one has to realise people won’t come to give you work, you have to go and create opportunities. When you are self employed you need to look for work or let it be known you are available. There is no shame in it.”
Creativity crisis
The actor says every film or series cannot be successful. “I don’t watch too many films, but lately have seen some brilliant work like 12th Fail. It is the indigenous content that always resonates, you cannot be dependent on remakes, and adaptations of popular works. There is a lot of room for original content and stories in our country, which strike an emotional chord and are socially relevant.”
Talent isn’t measured by social media algorithms. There are brilliant actors out there who don’t even have social media handles. Do you think Naseeruddin Shah worries about his Instagram reach? You can’t cast actors based on their number of followers — you cast them because they suit the role”
