Mumbai, October 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has revisited memories from the international release of her acclaimed film Fire, sharing a throwback photograph featuring director Deepa Mehta and co-star Nandita Das.
Azmi posted the picture on Instagram on Sunday, recalling their time together during the film’s release in Spain. The photograph captures the three women smiling for the camera as they enjoy the occasion.
“With #Deepa Mehta and #Nandita Das. Having a ball at the release of #Fire in Spain,” Azmi wrote in the caption.
The post brings the spotlight back to the 1996 drama, which remains a significant film in Indian cinema for its portrayal of a same-sex relationship.
In April, Azmi also shared a photograph from a reunion with Mehta and Das, reflecting on their association with the film. In that picture, Azmi and Mehta were dressed in black and wearing identical dupattas, while Das stood between them in a yellow saree.
“#Deepa Mehta and I are wearing identical dupattas by sheer coincidence! Shukr hai #Nandita Das is in yellow!” Azmi had captioned the image.
Fire was the first instalment in Mehta’s Elements trilogy, followed by Earth (1998) and Water (2005). The film is widely regarded as one of the early mainstream Hindi-language productions to openly explore a lesbian relationship.
Its release sparked protests and fuelled public debate over homosexuality and freedom of expression in India. The story is also believed to have been loosely inspired by Ismat Chughtai’s 1942 short story Lihaaf.
The film was backed by Kaleidoscope Entertainment and Trial by Fire Films. A. R. Rahman composed its music, while Giles Nuttgens served as cinematographer and Barry Farrell handled the editing.
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