5 Ways to Authenticity and Purpose: Mr. and Mrs. Mahi
I watched the Dharma release on Netflix, Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, the other day. It is, on the surface, about a couple that shares an interest in cricket. A deeper dive into their lives reveals the quest for authenticity and purpose.
The film is superbly acted, with Rajkummar Rao as Mahinder, and Jahnvi Kapoor as Mahima, both bearing the nickname Mahi. Spoilers start here. Their marriage is arranged, but what binds them together is a love of cricket.
While Mahinder is an average batsman, Mahima is very talented. Mahinder has the idea to coach Mahima, as they are both unhappy in their respective day jobs: salesman in his father’s sports shop, and doctor in a clinic.
Mahinder begins coaching Mahima, and Mahima begins to shine. However, as soon as Mahima receives a little recognition, Mahinder is chagrinned. His ego begins to cause anger, and he resents Mahima for not mentioning his coaching efforts. As it turns out, Mahima had mentioned it, but it was edited out of her interview.
As the story unfolds, we see their relationship suffer due to Mahinder’s constant need to prove he is a success, especially in his father’s eyes. His father, played wonderfully by Kumud Mishra, wants him to be successful materially. It isn’t until Mahinder’s mother, played by Zarina Wahab, elucidates to him the fact that the important success is for one’s own heart, not to please others.
Mahinder, after absorbing this wise counsel, patches up his relationship with Mahima, and the film takes an exciting turn. Mahinder, during a key moment in Mahima’s match, advises her to listen to her own intuition, and this wins her the match, leading to her selection in the Indian national team.
The brilliant lessons I learned from this film about authenticity and purpose are:
- Fulfill your purpose without seeking the limelight – if you are true to yourself the limelight will chase you.
- Above all, be yourself.
- Above all, listen to your own voice over those of others.
- The divine masculine is there to support the divine feminine.
- Ego embodies our fear, envy, and insecurity, while the soul brings love, reciprocity, and belonging.
Share with us your own thoughts about authenticity and purpose.
