Early-1940s, rural British India. When a woman decides to fight against the village's despotic subedar and is supported by the guard of the local spice factory, more women join to defy the prevailing oppression.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Smita PatilSonbai | Sonbai |
 Naseeruddin ShahSubedar | Subedar |
 Om PuriChowkidar Abu Miya | Chowkidar Abu Miya |
 Deepti NavalSaraswati | Saraswati |
 Suresh OberoiMukhi | Mukhi |
| BBenjamin GilaniMasterji | Masterji |
 Harish PatelPandit | Pandit |
 Paresh RawalVillager | Villager |
 Amole GupteNot listed | Not listed |
 Dina PathakMaanki, factory worker | Maanki, factory worker |
 Ratna Pathak ShahFactory worker | Factory worker |
 Supriya PathakFactory worker | Factory worker |
 Mohan GokhaleMukhi's Brother | Mukhi's Brother |
 Deep DhillonNot listed | Not listed |
 Ram Gopal BajajFactory owner | Factory owner |
 Nina KulkarniFactory worker | Factory worker |
 Raj BabbarSonbai's Husband (uncredited) | Sonbai's Husband (uncredited) |