Mirch Masala (1986) on Netflix

Plot summary

British India, the early 1940s. Women fetching water from the village source scatter when the subedar and his soldiers arrive, but Sonbai asks them not to let their horses into the water. The subedar camps near the village, and the Mukhi, the village headman, visits to show respect. The soldiers take food, livestock and supplies. The subedar pursues Sonbai, whose husband is away in the city. She strikes him and makes for a factory where women grind red chilies into powder. Abu Mian, the elderly watchman, shuts the gates and refuses them entry. The subedar presses the factory owner and the Mukhi to open the doors and threatens to destroy the village.