The first part of Deepa Mehta’s Elements Trilogy became a flashpoint of controversy for its depiction of same-sex desire within a tradition-bound milieu. Sisters-in-law Radha (Shabana Azmi) and Sita (Nandita Das) belong to a family of entrepreneurs whose affairs are run by the manservant Mundu (Ranjit Chowdhry), who uses his employers’ video store for his lucrative side business of renting (and enjoying) porn. Neglected by her husband (who prefers the company of his mistress), Sita finds solace in her friendship with Radha. Gradually, the relationship between the two women deepens — but when Radha uncovers Mundu’s shady schemes and demands that her husband fire him, it leads to disaster for all.

When Fire was released in India, theatres showing the film became a target of attacks by right-wing religious elements, leading the censor board to withdraw the film on the grounds of “religious insensitivity.” Mehta herself led a protest march in New Delhi in the name of freedom of expression, which resulted in the film being returned to theatres two months later.