Mamootty’s ‘Fireman’ a tribute to our unsung heroes
When was a film made around a fire
mishap in Indian cinema?
Cop stories, yes, military sagas yes, but a disaster tale on the lives of firemen remains untold, be it in Bollywood or regional cinema. If the Hollywood block buster, ‘Towering Inferno,’ was set around a high rise building, Malayalam director Deepu Karunakaran explores the hazards of a leaking LPG tank in ‘Fireman.’
Cop stories, yes, military sagas yes, but a disaster tale on the lives of firemen remains untold, be it in Bollywood or regional cinema. If the Hollywood block buster, ‘Towering Inferno,’ was set around a high rise building, Malayalam director Deepu Karunakaran explores the hazards of a leaking LPG tank in ‘Fireman.’
In a freak accident, this LPG container
gets dislodged from its truck. Landing on the road, gas leaks through cracks resulted
from the fall. And looming ahead is the imminent danger of a fire explosion. Any
tiny spark could trigger off that.
Fireman Vijay (Mammooty) and team face their biggest challenge on thwarting this danger. Complicating the situation is the milling crowd of onlookers and an impatient media force to deal with. Also breathing down his neck is a team of arrogant policemen.
Taking a stand, Vijay decides to evacuate the neighbourhood. But the gas continues to spread further, reaching the vicinity of the central jail.
Now how do you evacuate the jail birds?
Before you know it, the film goes into thriller mode, keeping you guessing.
Karunakaran’s screenplay is gripping and the opening scene least prepares you for what follows. Taking viewers to a disaster zone, he educates them on the hazards of a gas fire. Lauding the firemen who shrug off all emotions while in the heat of their job, he makes you doff your hats for these unsung heroes. For the fire-fighters, saving lives is of paramount importance be it of a human or an animal, in this case, a rooster that fell into a well.
Retired fire- chief Lakshmana Pillai (Sreekumaran) does not hesitate to don his uniform once more when soon after his farewell party he gets a call about this mishap.
Everything is in place for this ticking clock thriller. Karunakaran has woven interesting characters that stay with you. There is the party leader, Sagaav Iqbal (Siddique) who rescues the injured. UAE resident, RJ Nyla Usha puts in a mature performance as IPS Officer, Sherin Thomas who supports Vijay’s decisions. Unni Mukundan as fireman Shah Jahan is wonderful, not just in the looks department but with his acting too. Comedian Salim Kumar plays a father of a cancer afflicted daughter. However, his character sketch is a not very clear, although he is the pivot around whom the story is pegged.
Mammootty slips on the fireman’s boots with great ease. And carries the heroic traits given to his character with elan. After ‘Munnairuppu,’ here is another film that brings out the fire in him.
‘Fireman’ is an effort that deserves applause.
Fireman Vijay (Mammooty) and team face their biggest challenge on thwarting this danger. Complicating the situation is the milling crowd of onlookers and an impatient media force to deal with. Also breathing down his neck is a team of arrogant policemen.
Taking a stand, Vijay decides to evacuate the neighbourhood. But the gas continues to spread further, reaching the vicinity of the central jail.
Now how do you evacuate the jail birds?
Before you know it, the film goes into thriller mode, keeping you guessing.
Karunakaran’s screenplay is gripping and the opening scene least prepares you for what follows. Taking viewers to a disaster zone, he educates them on the hazards of a gas fire. Lauding the firemen who shrug off all emotions while in the heat of their job, he makes you doff your hats for these unsung heroes. For the fire-fighters, saving lives is of paramount importance be it of a human or an animal, in this case, a rooster that fell into a well.
Retired fire- chief Lakshmana Pillai (Sreekumaran) does not hesitate to don his uniform once more when soon after his farewell party he gets a call about this mishap.
Everything is in place for this ticking clock thriller. Karunakaran has woven interesting characters that stay with you. There is the party leader, Sagaav Iqbal (Siddique) who rescues the injured. UAE resident, RJ Nyla Usha puts in a mature performance as IPS Officer, Sherin Thomas who supports Vijay’s decisions. Unni Mukundan as fireman Shah Jahan is wonderful, not just in the looks department but with his acting too. Comedian Salim Kumar plays a father of a cancer afflicted daughter. However, his character sketch is a not very clear, although he is the pivot around whom the story is pegged.
Mammootty slips on the fireman’s boots with great ease. And carries the heroic traits given to his character with elan. After ‘Munnairuppu,’ here is another film that brings out the fire in him.
‘Fireman’ is an effort that deserves applause.
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