Agni Review: Entertaining, Moving and Thrilling

Prime Video action-drama film Agni showcases the struggle of firefighter Vitthal and cop brother-in-law Samit as they try to figure out the mystery behind a rising fire crisis in Mumbai. As more and more arson cases rise in the city, the two of them must fight against their personal issues so that they can save the city and its inhabitants from a grisly crisis.

The film has a runtime of 120 minutes

Agni Review

Prime Video’s Agni is a thrilling ride from start to finish with a ton of drama added in it for good measure. The film showcases the sacrifices made by firefighters in India despite getting nothing in return. Vitthal’s personal and professional issues are highlighted in the film, with the latter holding a common thread that audiences can easily relate to. The lack of support from not only the system but also from the common folk is appalling and is a testament to how little we understand the sacrifices that go into such a terrifying job.

Agni does a fantastic job of highlighting not only the physical but also the emotional toll of firefighters. Pitting them against the police somehow reminds me of Brooklyn 99 and the hilarious rivalry between Fire Marshal Boone and Jake Peralta. But, things are a bit more real and serious in this Prime Video film and the micro-aggressions cut deep. You can’t help but feel the exhausting toll that the system’s apathy towards a serious issue takes on the firefighters, especially when it’s apparent to them and not to others.

The film moves swiftly and efficiently weaving this thrilling and emotional tale, making us relate to the characters and their plights. It does a great job of not showing us who is behind the arson right off the bat and we can’t help but gasp at the revelation. The tension stays put for most of the runtime and the push and pull between Vitthal and Samit is delicious. The personal struggles that Vitthal faces, especially due to his son, are nothing short of heartbreaking, exacerbated by Pratik Gandhi’s performance.

Gandhi does a great job of showing the various facets of Vitthal’s character and bringing him to life. The actor has always done a fantastic job on-screen and this time around, brings forth the complexity of his situation like no other. Viewers will be mesmerised by his performance. His on-screen feud with Divyenndu’s Samit is great as well and the police vs firefighter debate is done well, although not elaborated too much.

Saiyami Kher and Sai Tamhankar are there as well and both are great but are not given the scope to showcase much. Considering how talented both of these women are, you expect to see them in a better role than they were given. We also don’t get too deep into what happens after the climax, especially on the bureaucratic side. I think that would’ve made for good discourse. Plus, I also the film to be a bit rushed towards the end.

However, one thing I would like to give a big shoutout to is the action sequences of the firefighters and the showcase of the fire. The film does an excellent job of making these sequences realistic and they feel absolutely thrilling to watch. The direction is excellent during these moments and audiences will find themselves waiting with bated breath to see what happens next.

Final Thoughts

Agni is an impactful watch that balances the various facets of its storyline well. Although there were a few issues, the film overall keeps the mystery alive and makes us root for the protagonists throughout. The social commentary is also not lost on viewers, making this entertaining through and through.

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