Vivek Agnihotri escapes fire scare as Diwali rocket hits sofa, seeks accountability

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has raised concerns over fire safety during Diwali after an errant rocket hit his balcony sofa, causing it to catch fire. He said his dogs alerted the family in time, helping them avoid a potentially serious accident. The Kashmir Files director also called for accountability.Agnihotri shared the incident in a post on X, tagging Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. He was responding to the mayor’s appeal to citizens to celebrate a safe Diwali and follow the Bombay High Court’s guidelines on bursting firecrackers.“Last night, our balcony sofa caught fire after being hit by an errant rocket. Thankfully, our dogs alerted us in time, and the fire-resistant fabric helped prevent a potentially serious accident,” he wrote."Not a cultural pride, they are a fire hazard"The filmmaker added that the family had always feared such an incident could happen. While they were fortunate this time, he questioned what could happen to others facing similar situations. “Who doesn’t love celebrating Diwali? But errant rockets are not a cultural pride, they are a fire hazard. Our great culture doesn’t permit us to put innocent lives, homes and property at risk,” he said.Agnihotri also called for stricter enforcement of fire-safety rules and accountability from the authorities. He said the mayor’s appeal, though welcome, would have little impact without proper implementation. Dear Mayor Madam, Last night, our balcony sofa caught fire after being hit by an errant rocket. Thankfully, our dogs alerted us in time, and the fire-resistant fabric helped prevent a potentially serious accident. We had always feared something like this could happen. This time, we were lucky but what about other victims? Who doesn’t love celebrating Diwali? But errant rockets are not a cultural pride, they are a fire hazard. Our great culture doesn’t permit us to put innocent lives, homes and property at risk. Your appeal may have come a little late, but it will mean little without strict enforcement. More importantly, accountability must not end with those bursting crackers. Those responsible for creating awareness, enforcing court orders, ensuring fire safety and preventing such violations must also be held accountable. I hope the authorities will investigate the fires across Mumbai and fix responsibility wherever negligence or failure to enforce the law is established. Whatever a person in a position of responsibility does, others follow. The standards they set become the standards society lives by.— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 9, 2026He urged the authorities to investigate fire incidents across Mumbai and fix responsibility wherever negligence or failure to enforce the law was established. He also argued that accountability should extend beyond people bursting firecrackers to those responsible for public awareness, enforcement of court orders and fire safety.The filmmaker ended his post by quoting a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, which highlights how people in positions of responsibility set an example that others follow.What did Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde say?Agnihotri shared his post in response to Mayor Ritu Tawde’s appeal to Mumbai residents to celebrate a safe and joyful Diwali. In her message, Tawde urged people to follow the High Court’s guidelines while bursting firecrackers, avoid setting them off on public roads and cooperate with the authorities.She also shared emergency contact numbers for the Mumbai Fire Brigade (101) and the municipal helpline (1916), asking citizens to take precautions so that accidents do not spoil the festive celebrations.- Ends