‘Fire’ Movie Review – Inspired by True events
Inspired by true events, Fire is a gripping crime thriller that brings to light the dark realities of online exploitation. The film is based on the real-life case of a 29-year-old man named Kasi, who was arrested in 2020 for befriending women on social media, coercing them into intimate situations, and later blackmailing them. Convicted on charges of sexual assault and other crimes, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Balaji Murugadoss, known for his stint on Bigg Boss, takes on the challenging role of Kasi. He is joined by a strong supporting cast, including Chandini Tamilarasan, Sakshi Agarwal, Rachitha Mahalakshmi and Gayathri Shan, who portray the victims. Other notable performances come from Singampuli, S.K.Jeeva, Suresh Chakravarthi, Anu Vignesh and Baby Manoj.
The film follows Kasi, a physiotherapist who suddenly goes missing. His worried parents file a police complaint, leading to an investigation led by Inspector JSK (played by the film’s debut director, J. Sathiskumar). As the police dig deeper, they uncover the disturbing truth behind Kasi’s disappearance. His confiscated laptop and mobile phones reveal a shocking web of abuse, exposing how he manipulated and blackmailed women under the guise of being a helpful and caring professional.
Through interrogations and flashbacks, the film unravels the extent of Kasi’s crimes. Posing as a trustworthy friend, he lures his victims—many of whom are his patients—into intimate relationships, only to later extort money from them by threatening to release their private images. The tension escalates as the police close in on their missing suspect, culminating in a suspenseful climax.
As a debut director, JSK delivers a decent effort in narrating this unsettling crime story. While the first half leans heavily on dialogues and investigative details—making it feel slightly slow—the second half picks up pace, keeping the audience on edge. JSK himself portrays the investigating officer convincingly, though in some close-up shots, he appears fatigued, almost as if he had been working sleeplessly.
Balaji Murugadoss gives an earnest performance as Kasi but falls short in dialogue delivery, which affects the impact of his portrayal. On the other hand, Chandini Tamilarasan, Sakshi Agarwal, Rachitha Mahalakshmi and Gayathri Shan effectively embody the struggles of their characters. However, while the film attempts to depict intimate scenes realistically, they sometimes come across as sensational rather than evoking sympathy.
S.K.Jeeva, who also plays a watchman in the film, does justice to his role, while Singampuli, Suresh Chakravarthi and Anu Vignesh leave little to remark upon. One particular song featuring Rachitha Mahalakshmi feels out of place and may have an unintended influence on younger audiences.
Technically, the film is a mixed bag. C.S.Premkumar’s editing ensures a crisp runtime, but Sathish G’s cinematography and DK’s background score fail to leave a lasting impression.
Fire is a dark and disturbing crime thriller with a compelling premise but inconsistent execution. While the film successfully highlights the dangers of online exploitation, its slow-paced first half and certain stylistic choices diminish its emotional weight. Nonetheless, the engaging second half, investigative elements and an unpredictable climax make it a watchable crime drama. ‘Fire’ is releasing in theaters on 14th February 2025.
Rating: 2.75/5
