Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has raised concerns over the safety risks posed by Diwali fireworks in Mumbai after an errant rocket struck a sofa on his balcony and set it on fire.
In a post on X addressed to the city's Mayor on Monday, Agnihotri said the incident occurred on Sunday night, adding that his family escaped unharmed after their dogs alerted them in time.
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He credited the sofa's fire-resistant fabric with helping prevent a potentially serious accident, adding that the family had feared such an incident could happen.
Agnihotri said the episode highlighted the dangers of indiscriminate firecracker use, particularly rockets that can land on residential properties and put lives and homes at risk.
Acknowledging the importance of Diwali celebrations, he argued that fireworks endangering others could not be justified in the name of cultural traditions.
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. यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥ Whatever a person in a position of responsibility does, others follow. The standards they set become the standards society lives by. श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 9, 2026
"Errant rockets are not a cultural pride, they are a fire hazard," he wrote, adding that India's cultural values did not permit putting innocent lives, homes and property at risk.
The filmmaker also questioned the effectiveness of the civic administration's appeal urging residents to celebrate responsibly, arguing that such advisories would have little impact without strict enforcement.
Calling for a wider investigation into the fire incidents reported across Mumbai during the festive period, Agnihotri sought accountability from authorities responsible for public awareness, fire safety and the enforcement of court orders.
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He said responsibility should extend beyond those bursting crackers to officials and agencies wherever negligence or lapses in enforcing safety regulations are established.
Agnihotri urged the authorities to investigate the incidents, identify those responsible and ensure stricter enforcement of safety norms to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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