Firefighters in action | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Phanindra Adapala recalls the call he made to his friend at 3 am in March 2023. The Hyderabad-based independent filmmaker, whose Telugu documentary burning Bridges It shows the lives of firefighters and their state of mind while on duty. This 55-minute documentary with English subtitles has not only won a jury mention at the 14th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival (DSPFF-24) but also won two categories at the Indian Film House (IFH) National Awards to be held in June.

Tribute to real heroes

A scene from the documentary | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Happy with the jury’s mention, Phanindra, who conceptualised and directed the documentary, said that while travelling from Hitech City to Sainikpuri, he was surprised to see the Secunderabad Fire Station. Later, in a cafe, he heard people discussing fires. This inspired him to read news reports and watch videos of fires. All this inspired him to look at the lives of the fire brigade people, their stories, emotions and experiences.

Emotional Stories

Phanindra Adapala | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

After getting permission from Telangana Director General of Police Y Nagi Reddy, he planned to interview ground staff from three fire stations – Paradise (Secunderabad general fire), Madhapur (high-rise building fire) and Jeedimetla (factory fire). However, eventually, he interviewed 15 firefighters from Madhapur and Secunderabad areas and used only 11 to avoid repetition. “I could not hold back my tears while listening to their stories – the incident of a mother and son, a couple committing suicide, children being locked up during a factory fire, and how people behaved with firefighters during the fire are all unforgettable.”

Relationship with the Fire Department

In the control room… a scene from the documentary | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He has built a bond with M Hari Krishna (fireman lead), Syed Javed Pasha (driver-operator), Sai Kiran and Hari Krishna (firemen) and hopes the audience will sympathise with the fire brigade and connect with their emotions when they risk their lives to save strangers. “I want the audience to hear their stories and see their expressions. I want people to understand them and treat them well, giving them the respect they deserve.”

Scene from the documentary | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Apart from associate producer Akhil Vemula, assistant district fire officer Suresh Reddy was also a pillar of strength. “Suresh Reddy sir is the first person who believed in my idea even before the pre-production stage; he guided me in the procedures and helped me get permission to shoot in the control room and take out the fire engine.”

Phanindra runs Nirmala Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a production house involved in brand and corporate films, shows, product shoots and social media management that helps promote documentaries. He is excited about his next project, TrembleA film on the 1981 Indravelli (Adilabad) firing.