The Great Indian Kitchen

The Great Indian Kitchen

Year: 2021

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: Malayalam

Echo Score: 92

Budget: $889K

DramaMoving relationship storiesReligious faith sin and forgivenessShow All…

After marriage, a woman struggles to be the submissive wife that her husband and his family expect her to be.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)

Trace every key event in The Great Indian Kitchen (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Marriage begins in a patriarchal Bahraini household

An educated dancer from Manama enters an arranged marriage with a teacher from a traditional, patriarchal family. The early days mark the start of a rigid domestic routine she must adapt to, with gendered expectations shaping every day. The home feels like a silent negotiation where her identity is quickly reframed as wife and caregiver.

Manama, Bahrain
2

Chores fall entirely on the wife

The bulk of cooking, cleaning, and household management lands on her shoulders. The men drift to their own activities, leaving behind clutter and mess for her to clear. The routine locks her into a cycle of labor with little room for agency.

Family home, Bahrain
3

Patriarchal hierarchy displayed at home

The mother-in-law hands the toothbrush to the father-in-law while he lounges on the verandah, showcasing the deceitful ease of male privilege. The family eats first, and the women are left to eat whatever is left afterward. The women bear the consequences of the household’s comfort-first mindset.

Verandah and dining area, family home
4

Husband dismisses her needs with condescension

She tells him that sex hurts and asks for foreplay, but he responds with cold arrogance, implying she should be attracted to him without consideration for her feelings. Her plea exposes the emotional distance in their marriage, amplifying her sense of isolation. The moment ends with her crying herself to sleep.

Bedroom, family home
5

Father-in-law forbids employment

The elder’s belief that a wife’s presence at home brings prosperity locks her into a subordinate role. He rejects the possibility of her finding work, citing tradition over her autonomy. This stance cements the economic and personal dependence that defines much of her life there.

Home, Bahrain
6

Menstruation and the body's taboos

When she gets her period, the family imposes rigid restrictions that erase her autonomy. She is told to isolate, bathe in the river, eat separately, and wash everything she touches. The scene reveals the culture’s regressive handling of female physiology.

Home and river, Bahrain
7

Sabarimala verdict divides society

Across Kerala, the courts rule that menstruation is not impurity and women may visit the temple, triggering conflict with conservative factions. The film frames this verdict as a banner for progressive reform vs. entrenched tradition. The tension reflects broader gender politics that mirror the home’s struggles.

Kerala, India (Sabarimala context)
8

Family doubles down on tradition amid the verdict

The husband’s family opposes the verdict, reinforcing their commitment to old beliefs. The domestic pressure intensifies as public and private spheres collide. The awakening within the wife intensifies but remains trapped within the household's walls for now.

Home, Bahrain/India context
9

Breaking point: an act of rebellion

In a climactic burst, she throws murky kitchen sink water on her husband and father-in-law. The act symbolises her refusal of the abuse and control she has borne for years. She decides to leave the oppressive environment and seek her freedom.

Family home
10

Escape leads to a new life as a dancer

She exits the patriarchal household and begins forging a path as an independent dancer. The sequence hints at travel, preparation, and the embrace of self-determination.

On the road / outside home
11

Becomes a dance teacher with her own car

The film closes with her arriving in her own car to teach dance, symbolising autonomy and professional recognition. Her independence contrasts sharply with the earlier life of subservience. The road she travels marks a turning point in her life.

Studio / city
12

Ex-husband remarries; second wife faces a similar fate

The ex-husband moves on with another marriage, while the new wife appears to inherit a fate akin to the first wife’s—domestic expectation and patriarchal control endure. The ending underscores the film’s message about cyclical oppression and the potential for empowerment through self-reliance.

Ex-husband's new home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:26

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The Great Indian Kitchen Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Great Indian Kitchen

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Great Indian Kitchen

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The Great Indian Kitchen Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Great Indian Kitchen

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