As Fire, one of India’s most controversial yet pathbreaking films, completes 25 years, veteran actress Shabana Azmi reunited with co-star Nandita Das and director Deepa Mehta to reflect on the film’s journey, legacy, and behind-the-scenes revelations. Azmi recently disclosed that the film’s climax was changed on the suggestion of a then-young Farhan Akhtar — a fact previously unknown to many.
In This Article:
A Reunion of Icons and a Revelation Gone Viral
Azmi shared a heartfelt post on Instagram featuring a photo with Deepa Mehta and Nandita Das, all three dressed in black, captioning it with insightful revelations about Fire’s making. She wrote:
“The #Fire trio! 25 years later… The film continues to be a point of reference all over the world. Few know that it had a different ending. It was young @faroutakhtar who advised that the ending should be changed to what is finally kept.”
The post quickly went viral, with fans and film students praising the enduring relevance of Fire, a film that boldly depicted a lesbian relationship at a time when LGBTQ+ themes were almost nonexistent in Indian mainstream cinema.
From Hindi to English – Last-Minute Creative Decisions
Azmi further revealed that Fire was originally written in Hindi. However, just two days before shooting, Deepa Mehta felt the dialogues didn’t sound authentic in Hindi. The film was ultimately shot in English with the support of producer Bobby Bedi. Azmi praised the bilingual ability of the actors, which helped them adapt instantly to the switch.
Internal Conflict and Family Support
In an interview with India Today Digital, Shabana Azmi shared her initial hesitation about taking up the role. As someone involved in grassroots activism in slums, she feared backlash from conservative circles.
“I felt this would be used very heavily against me… husbands of the women I was working with already thought I was a bad influence,” she said.
It was her husband Javed Akhtar who encouraged her to take the role, believing it would spark important conversations. But the most surprising support came from her 18-year-old stepdaughter, Zoya Akhtar, who asked her one simple question:
“Do you like the script or not?”
That nudge gave Azmi the clarity she needed to go ahead.
Legacy of a Cinematic Milestone
Released in 1996, Fire was the first mainstream Indian film to explore a same-sex relationship. Directed by Deepa Mehta, and starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, the film was both lauded internationally and condemned domestically by right-wing groups. Yet, its cultural footprint remains undeniable.
Even today, Fire is referenced in academic circles, human rights forums, and LGBTQ+ activism as a turning point in Indian cinematic discourse.
Key Takeaways:
- Fire completes 25 years as a revolutionary Indian film
- Shabana Azmi revealed Farhan Akhtar suggested changing the ending
- The film’s dialogues were switched from Hindi to English just before filming
- Azmi initially hesitated due to social pressures but was encouraged by Zoya Akhtar and Javed Akhtar
The film remains a global reference point for conversations on gender, identity, and representation.
By – Nikita