‘Agni’ movie review: Pratik Gandhi blazes a trail in this tale of courage under fire

Filled with warm and chilling moments, Rahul Dholakia’s social thriller ‘Agni’ provides firefighters with their moment under the sun

In Indian tradition, fire alludes to love and conflict, devotion and anger, eternality and death. The ever-youthful element that demands sacrifice plays the central character in director Rahul Dholakia’s ode to the unstinting spirit of the firefighters. Capturing a daze’s multiple faces and colours, Dholakia removes the smokescreen that covers the firefighters’ work and opens a window into the lives of those who keep us out of its fury but whose services are not duly acknowledged by the system and society. The action takes us into the heart of the evacuation process, the drama unravels the sacrifices firefighters make and the thriller elements seek to find the answer to the source of the firestorm.

Fireman Vithal (Pratik Gandhi) and policeman Samit (Divyendu) are brothers-in-law. The relationship seems like a pun on the two arms of the Department of Home Affairs. Both undermine each other’s contribution, both learn to live with each other. While Vithal questions the methods and celebrity-like status of Samit, the latter finds Vithal unnecessarily grumpy. When there is a sudden surge in cases of arson in Mumbai, the two have to put their differences on the back burner to douse the inferno.

Dholakia’s notable films carry a distinct anti-establishment stance and Agni is no different. While saluting the spirit of firefighters, the film puts the spotlight on systemic fault lines that spark incidents of fire. From corruption in civic bodies to lack of civic sense, the film unravels multiple layers of greed that threaten to extinguish the fire in the Bravehearts.

Laced with sarcasm and dry wit, the way Dholakia and co-writer Vijay Maurya have woven ‘Mira Road ka Donald Trump’ and ‘Shantata! Court Chalu Hai’ into the conversation would have made Vijay Tendulkar proud. There is a running half-joke-half reality in the film where Vithal after playing with fire through the day wants to take his wife to Matheran (a hill station near Mumbai) where the temperature is three degrees. The impact of obsession with gun-wielding Singhams also finds a way into the narrative as Vithal struggles to win the respect of his son.

Pratik delivers an impactful performance, both implosive and explosive in parts without making the process explicit. He has this knack for creating believable characters where the research work becomes his muscle memory. Not just climbing the ladders or holding the torch with conviction, he also navigates the emotional architecture of a man who is putting his life at stake more than once a day without being recognised with remarkable poise.

Diveyndu gains some muscle for the role of the police officer who seems to follow the law as per the interpretation of the political boss. As someone for whom ends decide the means, he provides an effective counterpoint but Pratik’s character gets the author’s backing. In a film dotted with strong supporting actors, Jitendra Joshi quietly makes his presence felt as a firefighter whose soul has been covered by soot. Sai Tamhankar is impressive as the calming influence on the volatile Vithal. The way she performs the ritual to ward off the evil eye turns the camera into a necessary evil.

One can’t pinpoint the flaw but there are portions where Agni threatens to become a dramatised listicle of problems that firefighters face. One feels relieved when Dholakia starts weaving issues into a compelling storyline but then again the whining of the firefighters becomes a bit much. The good thing is that the film keeps coming back on track.