Spice, Strength, and Self-Reliance: Mirch Masala as a Cinematic Representation of Women's Economic Empowerment in India

Abstract: Cinema has long been a medium for reflecting and shaping societal transformations. Among the many films that portray women’s struggles for empowerment in India, Mirch Masala (1987), directed by Ketan Mehta, serves as a profound commentary on female resilience, economic independence, and collective resistance. The film, through its setting in a spice factory, symbolizes the financial agency of working women and their ability to challenge patriarchal oppression.While the film does not explicitly focus on entrepreneurship, it embodies essential principles of financial self-sufficiency, cooperative labour, and socio-economic empowerment. This paper critically examines Mirch Masala through the lens of gender and economic agency, incorporating dialogues, key scenes, and its impact on the portrayal of working women in subsequent Indian films.