Set in a small village during the time of the Raj, ”Mirch Masala” is the story of one woman’s fight to keep her honor when threatened by a powerful tax inspector. The inspector, who sees his manliness at stake after he is turned down by the woman, Sonbai (Smita Patil), promises to destroy the village if she does not come to 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 elderly, but brave, Chowkidar Abu, closes the reinforced door to the factory, and refuses to let the soldiers in. This angers the Subhedar, and he asks the town Mukhiya, to get Sonbai to him, or else he will destroy his town. The terrified Mukhiya and the rest of the townspeople decide to turn over Sonbai to the Subhedar, so that he can leave them in one piece, on the condition that they do not molest any more women. The Subhedhar is angered at this show of defiance, and refuses to agree to any conditions. The villagers and the Mukhiya must now decide whether to hand over Sonhai to him, or let him get her and destroy their village, and molest their wives, daughters, and sisters.
”Mirch Masala” was directed by Ketan Mehta and written by him and Shafi Hakim. Though Miss Patil is the film’s star, the most important character in the film is the watchman at the spice factory where Sonbai finds refuge. While most of the other women at the spice factory think that Sonbai should sacrifice herself to save the village, the old watchman refuses to bow to tyranny.
”Mirch Masala” is less interested in his heroism than in the condition of women in general. Miss Patil, who died in childbirth after making this film in 1986, gives a credible performance. The landscapes are exotic, and so is the soundtrack music, which threatens never to stop. THE PRICE OF HONOR – Mirch Masala, directed by Ketan Mehta; screenplay (Hindi with English subtitles) and dialogue by Shafi Hakim and Mr. Mehta; original story by Chunilal Madia; camera, Jahangir Choudhury; edited by Sanjiv Shah; music by Rajat Dholakia; produced by the National Film Development Corporation.
Cast:
Subedar: Naseeruddin Shah
Sonbai: Smita Patil
Abu Mian: Om Puri
Mukhi: Suresh Oberoi
Sonbai’s husband: Raj Babbar
Masterji: Raghu Nath
Sarasvati: Deepti Naval
Mirch Masala is available for download at zinemaya.com. Click here to preview the movie.
