Fire

A FILM BY Deepa Mehta

Bold and novel.
- Lawrence Van Gelder, The New York Times
In filmmaker Mehta's deft hands, the outcome is handled with power and sensitivity.
- Washington Post
Mehta has created a pair of memorable characters who are easy to empathize with, and who gratifyingly are never transformed from flesh-and-blood individuals into mere symbols.
- James Berardinelli, Reelviews

Synopsis

Radha (the stunning Shabana Azmi) is unwavering in her devotion to her husband, Ashok (Kulbushan Kharbanda), despite their barren and sexless arranged marriage. For 15 years, Radha has been the consummate Indian wife, while Ashok, under the guidance of a spiritual leader, is attempting to rid himself completely of any form of desire. Meanwhile, Ashok’s brother Jatin (Jaaved Jaaferi) has brought home his new wife, Sita (Nandita Das), but is unwilling to give up his relationship with his Chinese girlfriend. Added to the mix are Biji (Kushal Rekhi), Ashok and Jatin's infirm mother, who keeps a watchful eye over the family, and Mundu (Ranjit Chowdhry), who works in the family's restaurant and video store under their small apartment. Slowly, Sita's presence causes the threads that held the family together to unravel. Each member tries to hang on to a semblance of allegiance to the deeply rooted traditions of Indian family life…

Theatrical Release Date

Original Languages: Hindi, English
Genre: Canadian, Drama
Running Time: 104 min.
Year: 1996

Credits

CAST
Shabana Azmi
DIRECTED BY
Deepa Mehta