Mississippi Masala (1991)

An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter falls in love with a black man, and the respective families... See full summary »

Director:

Mira Nair

Writer:

Sooni Taraporevala

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Sarita Choudhury, Roshan Seth

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	Demetrius Williams
Sarita Choudhury	...	Meena
Roshan Seth	...	Jay (Meena's dad)
Sharmila Tagore	...	Kinnu
Charles S. Dutton	...	Tyrone Williams
Joe Seneca	...	Williben Williams
Ranjit Chowdhry	...	Anil
Mohan Gokhale	...	Pontiac
Mohan Agashe	...	Kanti Napkin
Tico Wells	...	Dexter Williams
Yvette Hawkins	...	Aunt Rose
Anjan Srivastav	...	Jammubhai (as Anjan Srivastava)
Dipti Suthar	...	Chanda (Anil's wife)
Varsha Thaker	...	Kusumben
Ashok Lath	...	Harry Patel

Storyline

An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter falls in love with a black man, and the respective families have to come to terms with it.

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Plot Keywords:

uganda | love | mississippi | motel | africa | 

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Taglines:

Passion. Tradition. Mix It Up.

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Genres:

Romance | Drama | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality and language

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mississipi Masala

Filming Locations:

Biloxi, Mississippi, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$7,310,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black River Productions, Channel Four Films, Cinecom Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joseph Olita, who plays Idi Amin, also played him in Amin: The Rise and Fall.

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Goofs

When the family is leaving on the bus to the airport, there is a parrot on Okelo's shoulder. In the close-up of Okelo, the parrot is missing.

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Quotes

Meena: [after Jay and Kinnu discover her and Demetrius's relationship] What about me? What about me? I've never asked you for anything! Never expected anything! I'm 24 years old, and I'm still here! Stuck *here!* You think I'm happy? I love him. That's not a crime, is it?
Kinnu: You call this love? When all you have done is bring such shame upon our heads?
Meena: I didn't do anything! *They* barged in!
Jay: Don't answer back! At least have the decency to be sorry!
Meena: I am sorry about this mess, but I'm not sorry I'm in love...

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Crazy Credits

Demetrius and Mina standing by the side of the road, dressed in traditional costumes of respective culture.

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Connections

Referenced in Saved by the Bell: The New Class: A Perfect Lindsay (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Caledonia's Party"
Performed by Smiley Lewis
Written by David Bartholomew (as Dave Bartholomew)
Courtesy of EMI Unart Catalogue Inc.

User Reviews

Mississippi Masala is a very deep movie with deep actors

I love this movie. I first saw it as a preteen and did not understand the concept. I have recently got the DVD as a gift and watch it over and over again and learn something else from it each time. Sarita Choudhury is one of the best actresses of our time and I respect her decision to not want to go "Hollywood". She has appeared in movies with substance and a message unlike the movies that are coming out in mainstream Hollywood. Denzel Washington is a great actor in this movie as well. Playing Demitrius, you really see his versatility as an actor. Mississippi Masala touches a new kind of racism not shown in movies before. Dark skin vs. light skin seems to go across every ethnicity in the world and I respect Mira Nair for making this film. Although the movie or its actors didn't receive the attention or awards (i.e. an Oscar) for their extraordinary performance, this is a must see movie and it will change your mind about the caliber of movies you choose to see from now on.