Watch Agni Pareeksha

Agni Pareeksha is a 1981 Bollywood drama film directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Amol Palekar, Parikshit Sahni, and Rameshwari in lead roles. The story revolves around two brothers, Srikant and Niranjan, who are diametrically opposite in nature. Srikant is a happy-go-lucky person who works hard to provide for his family. On the other hand, Niranjan is highly ambitious and wants to achieve success at any cost.

The film begins with Srikant getting married to Sumitra, a woman he loves deeply. However, their happiness does not last long, as Srikant loses his job due to a slowdown in the factory he works in. In order to make ends meet, Srikant takes up odd jobs, while Niranjan rises up the corporate ladder.

As Niranjan becomes successful in his career, he becomes increasingly arrogant and selfish. He starts to neglect his family, including his wife Parvathi and their daughter, and even cheats on his wife with his secretary. Meanwhile, Srikant struggles to provide for his family, but he never loses hope and continues to work hard.

The plot takes an interesting turn when Srikant's daughter needs a kidney transplant, and he is the only possible donor. However, Srikant has a rare blood group, and he needs to undergo the Agni Pareeksha test to determine if he is a compatible donor. This test involves holding a red hot iron bar in one's hand and walking a certain distance. If one can complete the distance without dropping the bar or letting go, then they are considered to have passed the test.

Srikant takes up the challenge and passes the test, but he suffers severe burns and loses the ability to work. This puts a huge financial burden on his family, and they are forced to depend on Niranjan for support. However, Niranjan is unwilling to help, and the two brothers have a bitter confrontation.

The rest of the film deals with the aftermath of this confrontation and how the family deals with the challenges they face. Finally, Niranjan realizes the importance of family and makes amends for his past behavior.

Overall, Agni Pareeksha is a thought-provoking film that deals with themes of family, ambition, and sacrifice. The film is well-directed and features strong performances from the cast, particularly Amol Palekar as Srikant. The film also features a memorable soundtrack composed by M. S. Viswanathan.

In conclusion, Agni Pareeksha is a classic Bollywood film that is a must-watch for fans of the genre. Its themes are still relevant today, and the film's strong characterization and storytelling make it a timeless classic.