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Mississippi Masala

Play trailer Poster for Mississippi Masala R 1992 1h 58m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 77 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The vibrant cultures of India, Uganda, and the American South are blended and simmered into a rich and fragrant fusion feast in Mira Nair's luminous look at the complexities of love in the modern melting pot. Years after her Indian family was forced to flee their home in Uganda by the dictatorship of Idi Amin, twentysomething Mina (Sarita Choudhury) finds herself helping to run a motel in the faraway land of Mississippi. It's there that a passionate romance with the charming Black carpet cleaner Demetrius (Denzel Washington) challenges the prejudices of their conservative families and exposes the rifts between the region's Indian and African American communities. Tackling thorny issues of racism, colorism, culture clash, and displacement with big-hearted humor and keen insight, Nair serves up a sweet, sexy, and radical celebration of love's power to break down the barriers between us.
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Mississippi Masala

Mississippi Masala

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Critics Consensus

Sarita Choudhury and Denzel Washington's romantic chemistry lights up the screen in Mississippi Masala, Mira Nair's observant and sexy tale of cultures clashing.

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Critics Reviews

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Kat Sachs Chicago Reader Nov 13, 2025
It’s lush and nuanced, romantic and edifying. Go to Full Review Derek Smith Slant Magazine May 19, 2022
Mira Nair’s sophomore feature, Mississippi Masala, lives at the intersection of disparate cultures. Go to Full Review Vincent Canby New York Times Apr 15, 2022
Mississippi Masala appears to have been produced on a modest (by Hollywood standards) budget, but it is a big movie in terms of talent, geography and concerns. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Jan 3, 2026
7/10
[Cinematographer Ed] Lachman distinguished the two worlds of Mississippi Masala—Uganda and Mississippi—through his choice of lenses and film stock... Go to Full Review Michael J. Casey Boulder Weekly Dec 7, 2024
4/5
The heart of this story revolves around the sweet and sexy romance of Mina and Demetrius, and Washington is downright radiant in his youth and command. Go to Full Review Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week Feb 29, 2024
It’s a nuanced tale of interracial love that tackles colorism, how prejudice functions within a local economy, and the generational pain of cultural displacement. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Henry D @Henry_Domke Jul 18, 2026 Culturally rich and very much of its time, Mississippi Masala captured a complicated mix of cultures in a way that felt authentic. It was fun to see Denzel Washington so early in his career. The restored print looked very good, and the lively blend of Indian, African, and American music gave the film an upbeat energy. It was also a reminder that racism comes in many forms. The film showed several of them, including Black Ugandans rejecting Indian Ugandans and Indian Americans rejecting African Americans. See more David F @dfulmer Dec 24, 2025 This Romeo and Juliet style romance set in Mississippi felt very realistic, authentic, and relatable. A low budget film but with great acting and writing. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Aug 13, 2025 Funny in 1 hour and 58 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $7,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Zach W. @zwreviews Jun 26, 2025 Starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury, Mississippi Masala encompasses common tropes of a romantic-comedy while also balancing its serious commentary. Though its pace is inconsistent with several moments that feel drawn out, Mississippi Masala does tell an emotionally compelling story with an infatuating romance. Mira Nair captures the beauty of culture and family while also showing the conflict of converging interests and values. Overall, Mississippi Masala may not be a romance that hits as hard for all viewers, but it certainly connected to me personally and emotionally. Denzel Washington is the clear standout performance, but his connection and chemistry with Sarita Choudhary is affectionately intimate. Mississippi Masala uses its comedy to cut through its themes in an elaborate and creative way. See more Jay O @RT47478467 May 15, 2025 Great film and beautifully shot images of Uganda and the south of America See more Smeera C @RT09418029 Jul 26, 2024 Fabulous storyline about relationships, culture, generational differences, and belonging. Excellent acting all round, especially the main characters. See more Read all reviews
Mississippi Masala

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Cast & Crew

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Mira Nair

Director

Denzel Washington

Demetrius Williams

Sarita Choudhury

Meena

Roshan Seth

Jay

Sharmila Tagore

Kinnu

Charles S. Dutton

Tyrone Williams

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Mississippi Masala

Mississippi Masala (1991) Mississippi Masala (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The vibrant cultures of India, Uganda, and the American South are blended and simmered into a rich and fragrant fusion feast in Mira Nair's luminous look at the complexities of love in the modern melting pot. Years after her Indian family was forced to flee their home in Uganda by the dictatorship of Idi Amin, twentysomething Mina (Sarita Choudhury) finds herself helping to run a motel in the faraway land of Mississippi. It's there that a passionate romance with the charming Black carpet cleaner Demetrius (Denzel Washington) challenges the prejudices of their conservative families and exposes the rifts between the region's Indian and African American communities. Tackling thorny issues of racism, colorism, culture clash, and displacement with big-hearted humor and keen insight, Nair serves up a sweet, sexy, and radical celebration of love's power to break down the barriers between us.
Director
Mira Nair
Producer
Michael Nozik, Mira Nair
Distributor
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co
Black River Productions, Movie Works, Mirabai Films, Cinecom Pictures, Channel Four Films, Studio Canal Souss
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 5, 1992, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 15, 2022
Release Date (DVD)
May 27, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.3M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
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