7.8/10
918
13 user 7 critic

Mirch Masala (1987)

Not Rated | | Drama, Thriller | 6 September 1989 (USA)
Mirch Masala Poster
In colonial India, subedars (tax collectors) went from village to village with soldiers, often demanding more than taxes. A subedar commands Sonbai, a beautiful and confident woman whose ... See full summary »

Director:

Ketan Mehta

Writers:

Shafi Hakim, Hriday Lani | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Ram Gopal Bajaj, Benjamin Gilani, Mohan Gokhale | See full cast & crew »
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Edit

Cast

Credited cast:
Ram Gopal Bajaj ... Owner of the Pepper factory
Benjamin Gilani Benjamin Gilani ... Masterji
Mohan Gokhale Mohan Gokhale ... Villager
Nina Kulkarni ... Pepper factory worker
Deepti Naval ... Saraswati, Mukhiya's wife
Suresh Oberoi ... Mukhiya
Harish Patel ... Pandit
Dina Pathak ... Maanki, factory worker
Supriya Pathak ... Pepper factory worker
Smita Patil ... Sonbai
Om Puri ... Chowkidar Abu Miya
Paresh Rawal ... Villager
Naseeruddin Shah ... Subedar
Ratna Pathak Shah ... Pepper Factory Worker (as Ratna Pathak)
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

In colonial India, subedars (tax collectors) went from village to village with soldiers, often demanding more than taxes. A subedar commands Sonbai, a beautiful and confident woman whose husband is away in the city, to sleep with him. She slaps him and flees for safety to a spice factory where women grind chillies into fine powder. The aged factory guard, Abu Mian, locks the door behind her, refusing to open it to the soldiers, to the cowardly village men led by the mayor, and to the subedar himself. The town's teacher, who follows Gandhi, and a few women, led by the mayor's wife, protest ineffectually against this village-approved rape. The stage is set for a final confrontation. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

soldier | village | tax collector | spice factory | guard | See All (26) »

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

UK | India

Language:

Hindi

Release Date:

6 September 1989 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Spices See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films,National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Smita Patil had completed her entire work in this movie, but the movie was released after her demise. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Homestarrunner.com: Everything Else, Volume 3 (2007) See more »

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User Reviews

 
A must watch
10 December 2016 | by Bhavesh Vora – See all my reviews

A Very good narrative on Pre-Independent India where Oppression of Tax Collectors on Villagers is depicted very well.

While I do not want to summarize the Story, I would like to highlight excellent Direction by Ketan Mehta & acting by Smita Patil, Suresh Oberoi & Om Puri. The vulnerability of the villagers is exposed & very few people stand up against the Naseeruddin Shah who is the Subedar.

The astonishment of the villagers on seeing the Gramophone for the first time is also very impressive

I managed to watch it online & was thoroughly impressed. It certainly deserves a 9/10
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