TRIAL BY FIRE
FACT VS FICTION

By Shaurya Thapa

Based On A True Incident

The latest Netflix India series Trial by Fire is based on the aftermath of the Uphaar Cinema fire of 1997.

The Krishnamoorthys

The protagonists Neelam & Shekhar Krishnamoorthy are played by Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande.

The Real Neelam& Shekhar

The real-life couple lost their children to the fire and have  campaigned for justice ever since.

The Ansal Brothers

Gopal and Sushil Ansal, owners of the Uphaar Cinema, are shown as the primary villains in Trial By Fire.

Shilpa Shukla's Character

The Krishnamoorthys' unpredictable next-door neighbour Shalini was created for the show.

Neeraj Suri Is Also Fictional

While the Ansals did try to buy the victims' families' silence, the "enforcer" Neeraj Suri wasn't real.

Uphaar Fire's Army Hero

Indian Army officer Capt Manjinder Singh Bhinder tried rescuing many, but died along with his wife & kid. 

Anupam And Ratna's Roles

Retired Army officer Capt Bedi and his wife (Anupam Kher & Ratna Pathak Shah) seem to be inspired by Bhinder and his family.

Rajesh Tailang's Character

The "scapegoat" technician Veer Singh is a fictional representation of the Ansals's corrupt influence.

The AVUT Is Real

The Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) was crucial in the trial against the Ansals.