Mirch Masala (Translation: Hot Spice) is a 1987 Hindi psychological thriller film directed by Ketan Mehta. It stars Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil in the lead roles. On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, "Forbes" included Smita Patil's performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".
Plot.
In the early 1940s, an arrogant "subedar" (Naseeruddin Shah) (local tax collector in colonial India) and his henchmen ride into a village, scaring a group of women fetching water. Sonbai (Smita Patil) alone stands her ground and politely asks them not to let horses into the village's potable water source.
Subedar settles into his camp and the "Mukhi" (trans. the chieftain) of the village visits him to pay respect. Subedar's gramophone is an object of fascination for the men of the village. Mukhi's frequent absence from home is resented by his wife. The schoolmaster (Benjamin Gilani), tries to get her to enrol her only daughter in the school. When she does, other women ridicule her. "Mukhi" pulls his daughter out and beats his wife for disobeying him. The "mukhi's" younger brother (Mohan Gokhale) is in love with a lower caste girl, but dares not mention it. When their liaison is found out, the girl's father beats her and tries get the "mukhi" to agree to a marriage. The "mukhi" rejects the proposal as unsuitable.
The "subedar"'s men routinely loot the village for food, livestock and supplies. When "mukhi" brings a woman to him, he is disappointed that she is not Sonbai, but beds her nonetheless. He persists in wooing Sonbai, but when his demands turn forceful, she slaps him across the face and runs away. Enraged, he orders his soldiers to bring her. Sonbai takes refuge in a "masala karkhana" (spice factory where red chillies are ground into powder). Abu Mian (Om Puri), the wizened old Muslim gatekeeper and factory guard shuts the factory doors keeping the soldiers out. The "subedar" attempts to get the gates open through the factory owner and the "mukhi" fail. Abu Mian refuses to compromise on his job of providing security to the factory employees.
Subedar's threats of destroying the village prompt the "mukhi" to convene the village panchayat. The villagers hold Sonbai responsible for inciting the subedar and decide that she should yield to him. The schoolmaster points out that once they give in for one, there will be nothing to stop the "subedar" from demanding others, even perhaps the "mukhi"'s own wife. "Mukhi" thrashes him and throws him out. "Mukhi" reports back to the "subedar" that they will hand over Sonbai on the condition that the "subedar" will not make further demands of this nature. The "subedar" laughs off this condition and has the schoolmaster tied up to a post.
The "mukhi" brings pressure on Sonbai, but she stands firm. Within the factory, the women who once supported Sonbai now turn upon her. They fear that if she does not yield, the "subedar" may send his men to indiscriminately molest the womenfolk. Sonbai nearly relents, but is stopped by Abu Mian. She resolves to stand firm. Abu Mian chides the "mukhi" and the villagers; they may lord it over their wives at home, but are not man enough to face the "subedar".
The "subedar" orders his soldiers to charge the factory, and they smash down the door. Abu Mian manages to shoot one of the soldiers, but he is shot dead immediately after. The "subedar" enters the factory and tries to grab Sonbai. The women of the factory mount a sudden and surprising defense. They attack the "subedar" with bagfuls of lal mirch masala (fresh ground red chilli powder) in teams of two. The film ends with the "subedar" on his knees, screaming in pain as the chilli burns his face and eyes.
Awards and nominations.
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References.
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