Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has shared a frightening experience from his Diwali celebrations after a stray rocket reportedly struck the sofa on his balcony and caused a fire. The director revealed that the incident could have turned into a serious accident, but his family was alerted in time by their pet dogs. He also credited the fire-resistant fabric of the sofa with helping prevent the flames from spreading.
Vivek Agnihotri shared the incident on social media platform X on November 9, addressing Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and raising concerns about the safety risks associated with indiscriminate firecracker use. His post called for stricter enforcement of safety rules and accountability from authorities. However, the filmmaker later deleted the original message and shared a fresh post explaining his decision.
Stray Diwali Rocket Sets Balcony Sofa on Fire
Describing the incident, Agnihotri said that a rocket landed on the sofa kept on his balcony and set it on fire during the Diwali celebrations.
In his now-deleted post, he wrote, "Last night, our balcony sofa caught fire after being hit by an errant rocket." He added that the family's dogs alerted them in time, while the fire-resistant fabric helped prevent a potentially serious accident.
The filmmaker also mentioned that the family had previously feared such an incident could happen. Although they were fortunate to avoid a major mishap, he questioned what happens to other people who may not be as lucky.
His account highlighted a safety concern associated with aerial fireworks, particularly in densely populated residential areas where rockets can land on balconies, windows, terraces and other exposed spaces.
'Rockets Are Not Cultural Pride': Filmmaker's Message to Mumbai Mayor
Vivek Agnihotri acknowledged the importance of Diwali celebrations but argued that fireworks should not put people's lives and property at risk.
He wrote, "Who doesn't love celebrating Diwali? But errant rockets are not a cultural pride, they are a fire hazard."
Addressing Mayor Ritu Tawde, he said that public appeals asking residents to celebrate responsibly would have limited impact without strict enforcement. He urged the civic authorities to investigate fire incidents reported across Mumbai and identify whether negligence or failure to enforce safety regulations had contributed to them.
The filmmaker also argued that accountability should not be limited to people bursting firecrackers. According to him, officials responsible for public awareness, fire safety and enforcement of court orders should also be held accountable if established failures are found.
His message included a Sanskrit verse from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He shared its meaning as a reminder that people in positions of responsibility influence the behaviour and standards followed by society.
Vivek Agnihotri Deletes His Social Media Post
After his comments attracted attention online, Agnihotri deleted the original post. He subsequently shared another message explaining why he had decided to withdraw his remarks.
In the follow-up post, he wrote, "I am deleting my previous tweet. Neither do I want to be the reason for anyone's outrage nor do I want to enable or weaken anyone's cultural or environmental narrative. Happy Diwali to everyone, once again."
The filmmaker did not withdraw the account of the fire incident itself in the new message. Instead, he explained that he did not want his comments to become a reason for public outrage or to strengthen or weaken competing narratives around culture and the environment.
The development brought another dimension to the discussion, as his original message had focused on residential safety while the subsequent post emphasised his desire to step away from the wider debate.
Mumbai Bans Rockets and Aerial Firecrackers Until November 25
Agnihotri's post came amid reports of several firecracker-related incidents across Mumbai during the festive period. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a citywide restriction on rockets and other aerial firecrackers on November 9.
According to reports, the restriction will remain in force until November 25. The decision followed a series of fire incidents in different parts of the city and was intended to reduce the risk associated with sky-flying fireworks.
The civic administration's move has brought renewed attention to fire safety in residential neighbourhoods. Rockets and aerial firecrackers can travel beyond the intended area and potentially reach balconies, rooftops, vehicles, trees and other properties.
The issue is particularly important in Mumbai, where residential buildings are often located close to one another. A fire that begins on a balcony or terrace can create risks for neighbouring homes as well.
A Wider Conversation About Responsible Diwali Celebrations
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of celebrating festivals while keeping public safety in mind. Fireworks are a familiar part of Diwali celebrations, but accidents involving stray rockets can affect people who are not directly participating in the activity.
Agnihotri's experience also underlined the role of basic fire precautions in residential spaces. Keeping combustible furniture and other materials away from exposed areas, avoiding unsafe use of fireworks near buildings and responding quickly to signs of fire can help reduce risks.
Vivek Agnihotri is known for directing films such as The Tashkent Files, The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files. His comments on Diwali safety have now brought him into a public discussion extending beyond cinema.
Although he later deleted his post, the incident he described and the subsequent civic restriction on aerial fireworks have kept the issue of firecracker safety in focus. The episode serves as a reminder that festive celebrations should not put neighbouring homes, families or public property in danger.
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