Agni movie review: Pratik Gandhi leaves a mark in this tale of courage under fire

In Indian tradition, fire signifies love and conflict, devotion and anger, eternity and death. The eternally youthful element that demands sacrifice plays a central role in director Rahul Dholakia’s poetry for the indomitable spirit of firefighters. Capturing an awe-inspiring face and colours, Dholakia removes the murky screen covering the work of firefighters and opens a window into the lives of those who keep us away from its wrath but whose services are undervalued by the system and society. is not properly accepted. The action takes us into the heart of the evacuation process, the drama highlights the sacrifices made by firefighters and the thriller elements try to find answers to the source of the fire.

Fireman Vitthal (Prateik Gandhi) and policeman Samit (Divyendu) are brothers-in-law. This relationship seems like a joke on the two arms of the Home Department. Both undermine each other’s contributions, both learn to live with each other. While Vitthal questions Samit’s methods and celebrity-like status, Samit finds Vitthal unnecessarily grumpy. When there is a sudden increase in arson cases in Mumbai, the two have to leave behind their differences to put out the fire.

Dholakia’s notable films take a distinct anti-establishment stance and Agni is no different. Saluting the spirit of firefighters, the film highlights the systemic fault lines that lead to fire incidents. From corruption in civic bodies to a lack of civic spirit, the film exposes the multiple layers of greed that threaten to extinguish the fire in Bravehearts.

The way drummer and co-writer Vijay Maurya composed ‘Donald Trump of Mira Road’ and ‘Shaantata!’ is woven with sarcasm and dry wit! ‘Court chalu hai’ in conversation would have made Vijay Tendulkar proud. There is a half-joke-half truth going on in the film, where Vitthal, after playing with fire all day, wants to take his wife to Matheran (a hill station near Mumbai) where the temperature is three degrees. The obsession with the gun-toting Singhams also plays out in the story as Vitthal struggles to win his son’s respect.

Pratik delivers an impressive performance, both impressive and explosive in parts, without making the process obvious. He has the ability to create believable characters where the research work becomes his memory. Not just climbing the stairs or holding the torch with conviction, but he also shows the emotional architecture of a man who is putting his life on hold more than once a day, without being recognized for remarkable poise.

Divyendu brings some strength to the role of the police officer who appears to follow the law as per the political boss’s interpretation. As a man for whom the ends dictate the means, he provides an effective counterargument but Pratik’s character gets the author’s support. In a film packed with a strong supporting cast, Jitendra Joshi quietly makes his presence felt as a firefighter whose soul is stained with soot. Sai Tamhankar is impressive as the calming influence on the volatile Vitthal. The way she performs rituals to ward off the evil eye turns the camera into a necessary evil.

No one can pinpoint the blame, but there are parts where the fire threatens to become a dramatic catalog of problems facing firefighters. There is a sense of relief when Dholakia begins to weave the issues into a compelling story but again the cries of firefighters are a bit much. The good thing is that the film is continuously coming on track.

Without going into graphic details, KU Mohanan’s cinematography and Deepa Bhatia’s editing of the fire and rescue operations create a sense of awe for the superhero efforts of the firefighters. The film deserved a big screen experience.

Agni is currently streaming on Amazon Prime