Where to Watch in
Free
Plot
In the bustling heart of India, Ashok helms a thriving takeout food business, its storefront sharing space with a bustling video rental. This family enterprise paints the picture of a content middle-class family, steeped in tradition, bound by blood and love. Yet beneath the veneer of everyday routine, a tempest of discontent brews. Ashok's household comprises his wife Radha, brother Jatin, their bedridden mother Biji and Mundu, their manservant. A family, it seems, living under a shared roof and shared lies.
Ashok, an ascetic, has renounced earthly desires, pledging allegiance to a swami. His wife, Radha, tethered to him by duty, silently acquiesces to his spiritual path. Jatin, the family's charming rogue, is coerced into an arranged marriage with the beautiful Sita, even as he continues his clandestine romance with Julie, a Chinese-Indian woman.
Despite the traditional union, Jatin's heart remains with Julie, leaving Sita in a marriage devoid of passion. The two women, neglected by their husbands, find solace in each other's company. As the days meld into nights, their bond deepens from friendship into an intimate, forbidden love, a source of comfort and passion in a stifling environment.
Meanwhile Jatin, oblivious to his wife's emotional journey, manages the video store, secretly peddling adult films. Mundu, the manservant, indulges in these illicit movies, much to the chagrin of Biji, the matriarch, who communicates her displeasure through the jingle of a bell.
A day comes when Radha, harboring a secret that could shatter their world, stumbles upon Mundu's indiscretions. A confrontation with Ashok ensues, resulting in an ultimatum - Mundu must leave. But Mundu holds the key to Radha's secret, a revelation that could send ripples through the fabric of their intricately woven lies.
"Fire" is a compelling exploration of the human condition, unraveling the complexities of duty, desire, and deceit within a traditional Indian family. As the flames of truth threaten to engulf their carefully constructed facade, will love find a way, or will it too perish in the inferno?
Where to watch Fire?
Fire is a drama movie featuring Shabana Azmi and directed by Deepa Mehta.
Fire is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Shout! Factory TV.