Trial by Fire

Netflix

At one point of time in the last episode, it felt like my living room is filling up with smoke and I could smell the acrid fumes of the burning theater. The series waits until the very last episode to actually depict the tragic event and completely focuses on languish of the grieving parents, and their toil through the court case with a foregone conclusion through its first six episodes.

The parents grinded away for 25 years fighting the losing battle through the gut-wrenchingly prolonged delay when the rich and the powerful were afforded privileges of tampering with evidence, skipping court dates and pushing dates further and further away at their will. The listless melancholy that envelopes the series and the languid pace that is maintained is tactfully designed for the viewer to actually experience some of the drudgery in the comfort of their living room. It is not a court room drama; it is not a series that ends on high note or preach any social message. It takes you on a time-travel ride to 1997 and lets you be a bystander outside Uphaar cinema as the fire rages on and people perish. And while your outside escapes the fire, your inside smolders to black charcoal. It numbs you to hopelessness and you feel indifferent to the sheer absurdity of locking people in the balcony seats of a theater and the gross unaccountability of the several failures that culminates to the entire tragedy.

In one scene, when some of the hapless victims are trying to push the theater door trying to escape fire and others are pushing back because there is no room on the other side, the series will actually suffocate you. Every thump on the door will be felt inside your gut...

I wish to comment on so many other things, from acting, direction, cinematography, story, dialog etc. But my feelings about the series can be summed up in just one sentence: "Maybe some things last forever after all" (Luke Combs). It's a product of so much love, care, heart and courage by the whole team, especially by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, the parents of the two children who are credited with the story, that the series will live inside every viewer for their lifetime.

A great watch! Based on the true story of 'Uphaar Cinema Fire ' of Delhi that took place in 1997 killing about 59 people leaving many others injured. A couple who lost their both the children in that tragedy fought the case in court for 25 years for justice against most powerful industrialist until 2022. This is based on the book written by them in the same name. This powerful couple fight for the unconditional love of their children is very inspiring. More powers to them!

My ratings 8/10!

A great watch! Based on the true story of 'Uphaar Cinema Fire ' of Delhi that took place in 1997 killing about 59 people leaving many others injured. A couple who lost their both the children in that tragedy fought the case in court for 25 years for justice against most powerful industrialist until 2022. This is based on the book written by them in the same name. This powerful couple fight for the unconditional love of their children is very inspiring. More powers to them! My ratings 8/10!

Trial By Fire is an eye-opener of the famous case which is intriguing and disturbing.

Based on the horrific incident of 1997 Upahar Cinema case where 59 people were choked to death due to smoke caused by fire during the screening of Border film. Trial By Fire is the chronical of the case filed by Krishnamoorthy couple seeking justice for their children who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

Directed, researched and created by Prashant Nair and Kevin Luperchio, Trial By Fire is not easy watch but is an important web series that will keep you hooked to the detailed investigations. Each and every scene has executed appropriately and accurately.

Trial By Fire has been told from the Krishnamoorthy couple's point of view - how their lives got impacted along with other families. The web-series details out the struggles and challenges faced by the families mentally, physically and financially.

Trial By Fire boast off some strong technical support. I should start with an outstanding editing work. The background score is haunting and yet mesmerizing. The cinematography is brilliant, portraying a real-life crime with aplomb. Screenplay is fantastic, though it becomes little sluggish towards the end.

Coming to the performances, it is #Abhay Deol and Rajshri Despande who stands tall with her at each and every moment. They will make you believe with utmost natural performance.

On the whole, Trial By Fire is not easy watch but it will expose the harsh reality of what happened on the fateful day and it will definitely make you angry.

The biggest grief a person has to bear is their children's demise. The grief will intensify if they are killed from the negligence of the "untouchables" whose power is so much that they are beyond their reach. But as people say "Love" is the biggest strength this is the parents love towards their children that keeps them alive, their fight alive. The worst thing is the story is truth.

The performance of Abhaya Deol and OMG..RajShri Deshpande (never saw her before but you can feel her anguish, she matches every beat ,every step of the mother, Her body language will give you the chill) in the month of January we may have watched the best series of 2023.

This was one of the best series (or even movies) that I have watched in a long time. I remember hearing about the incident back in the 90s, but really do not recall much aside from that. This drama told the story in such a great way... uncovering details at an excellent pace, and really making one feel they were watching things unfold in real time.

Rajshri Deshpande is absolutely incredible as the grieving mother, who lost her only two children to the avoidable tragedy. She goes on to lose herself in fighting against very rich, powerful people in an effort to find even a speck of justice.

Her portrayal of a grieving mother is as good a performance as you are going to see almost anywhere. Absolutely riveting! She should win awards for this. She does an incredible job!

While a sad, frustrating series to watch, I cannot recommend it enough. Outstanding!