BOTTOM LINE
A Heroic Tale of Firefighters
Platform
Amazon Prime Video
What Is the Film About?
In Mumbai, plagued by mysterious fires, the story traces the path of two brothers-in-law Vithal, a dedicated firefighter, and Samit, a cheeky police officer. As the fire incidents in the city escalate with time, Vithal and Samit need to join hands, rising above their strained equation, delving deep into Mumbai’s underbelly and uncovering a sinister plot that threatens the lives of many innocent people.
Performances
There couldn’t have been a better choice than Pratik Gandhi to pull off Vithalrao, as the father and a professional, who fears dying unacknowledged/unrecognised. He displays unwavering commitment in mirroring the harsh realities of firefighters. More than a discussion on his performance, it would be safe to admit that Divyendu Sharma has a good time in front of the camera, relishing the portrayal of Samit.
Sai Tamhankar slips into the role of a supportive wife seamlessly and the child artiste Kabir Shah is a natural on the screen, delivering a spontaneous performance as Vithal’s son. It’s interesting to notice Saiyami Kher’s choices, given she’s consistently trying to be a part of worthy films, even if they may not offer her meaty roles always. Jitendra Joshi is stellar in a solid part, whose prominence grows with time.
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Analysis
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Agni, directed by Raees fame Rahul Dholakia, could’ve been just another workplace-centric film that pays an ode to the unsung sacrifices of firefighters, but the ‘noble’ intention here is matched by good screenwriting prowess and top-notch execution in the hands of a capable technical crew. Focusing on two brothers-in-law and a mysterious arsonist behind several fire accidents, the film remains reasonably absorbing.
The film is built around a limited group of characters in a new backdrop with relatable conflicts. The filmmaker draws us into their world organically, quietly observing the bitterness behind their mundanity and the struggles within and beyond their workplace. Vithal Rao, a firefighter, and Samit Sawant, a cop, though brothers-in-law, are as different as chalk and cheese, often crossing each other’s paths at work.
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Vithal flirts with danger daily and thrives in crises at the cost of his health, working within the constraints of a broken system. The absence of any acknowledgement from the bureaucracy gradually eats him up, while he vents his heart out in the company of a colleague Mahadev. Even Vithal’s son believes his father isn’t worthy of emulation in comparison to his charismatic uncle Samit.
Upon close observation, Samit Sawant’s colourful character as a police officer feels like a distant cousin of Divyendu’s Munna from Mirzapur, matching him with his wit, uncanny wordplay and approach to work. The director, through Samit, also smartly throws light on the fascination for cops among youngsters (here Vithal’s child) and weaves a compelling father-son subplot out of it.
In addition to the pivotal characters, the smaller players in this world too get adequate importance, even if they don’t have well fleshed out parts. Rahul Dholakia has his task cut out because of the thin plot, where he uses up most of the runtime to establish the inner workings of the system and the smaller aspects that concern his characters.
Meanwhile, the conflict between the brothers-in-law too could’ve been enhanced with juicier writing. If you, as a viewer, expected a fast-paced thriller out of the premise, Agni may not be your cup of tea, for it is intentional with its slow-burn treatment, with occasional bursts of urgency and anxiety. The smartly set-up climax is undoubtedly the major highlight of Agni, comprising a good mix of drama and thrills.
Agni – more than generic adjectives like good or bad – is an interesting film that treads the less-travelled path, diving deep into a profession (firefighters) that’s largely overshadowed by its popular cousin (cops) and doesn’t get its due. It needed to ‘fire’ more cylinders in terms of the screenwriting choices, but as a viewer, you come out with the satisfaction of having watched something gritty, absorbing and unusual.
Music and Other Departments?
John Stewart Eduri’s background score effectively complements the narrative, contributing to the impact of the high-voltage sequences and the quiet drama within the inner struggles of the protagonists. Veteran cinematographer KU Mohanan’s craftsmanship is quite evident in the frames, portraying the vulnerability of firefighters without compromising on the visual appeal of the sequences.
The situational dialogues – alternating from wry humour to bitterness and emotional bursts – are the cherries on the cake in a grim narrative. Had more effort been taken to prune/rework the first hour of the film, Agni would’ve worked even better.
Highlights?
Impressive performances
Novel backdrop
Quality execution, focused narration
Drawbacks?
Slow start
Built around a thin plot
Conflicts could’ve been more arresting
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Agni OTT Movie Review by M9
