In Indian cinema, the portrayal of housewives has often been stereotyped—depicting them as meek, obedient, and confined within the four walls of their homes. However, films like The Lunchbox and Mrs have introduced fresh perspectives, shedding light on the real struggles of housewives and amplifying the voices of women who are often considered invisible in domestic spaces.
In The Lunchbox, Nimrat Kaur masterfully portrays Ila, a middle-class housewife trapped in a loveless marriage and bound by the monotony of routine. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when a lunchbox, meant for her husband, is mistakenly delivered to a stranger, Saajan (played by Irrfan Khan). What follows is an intimate exchange of letters, leading to a connection that fills the emotional void in her life. Through this nuanced performance, Nimrat challenges the long-standing notion that a housewife’s world is confined to caring for her family, cooking, and daily chores. The film subtly but powerfully highlights how women’s emotional needs are often dismissed in Indian society.
A similar, yet more assertive portrayal was recently seen in Mrs, where Sanya Malhotra takes on the role of a housewife battling the ingrained patriarchy of her home. The film serves as a stark reflection of societal expectations, showing how women are expected to perform their duties seamlessly—until they reach a breaking point and choose to reclaim their agency. Mrs delivers a hard-hitting message, empowering women to say, “Enough is enough.” It also underscores that toxic behavior isn’t always overt violence; it can manifest subtly through manipulation and gaslighting by so-called “decent” men of the household.
Films like The Lunchbox and Mrs linger in the minds of audiences not just because of their compelling narratives but because they serve as mirrors to the unseen struggles of housewives—often overlooked, underestimated, and silenced. While these raw and unfiltered stories struck a chord with viewers, Nimrat Kaur and Sanya Malhotra’s performances proved that housewives can be just as fierce as they are softhearted, and they are not to be taken for granted. Their characters reflect the silent battles faced by countless women in real life, making these films all the more powerful and necessary.
The bottom line? Nimrat Kaur and Sanya Malhotra bring to life characters who experience loneliness, frustration, marital stress, and yearning—yet also embody hope, resilience, and strength. Their portrayals have successfully shattered the conventional lens through which Indian cinema views housewives, offering narratives that are real, raw, and deeply impactful.
