The film was released nearly a month ago in most parts of the State and has managed to retain the interest of the crowds this long, a feat for a film not made in Malayalam. Titanic and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge are other exceptions to the rule, of course.

The film, released with an `A' certificate, has been generally accepted warmly but has met with a lukewarm response in some places, notably Kochi. The crowds warmed up to the film in Thiruvananthapuram, which has always prided itself on being a highly film-conscious city.

The movie had caused quite a stir when it was screened at the 1997 International Film Festival of India here, and the theatre release, at the Remya theatre, has been met as enthusiastically.

Quiteunderstandably, the unusual theme of the film -- a lesbian relationship caused by two unhappy marriages -- caused the crowds to flock in initially. For some, the film turned out to be a disappointment, with the `hot scenes' never materialising. Fire was taken out of the theatre in Thiruvananthapuram only this week. It is still running in Kollam.

Significantly, there has not been even a single murmur of protest here at the contents of the film which have so enraged Bal Thackeray and the lot in Mumbai. Film directors, intellectuals, women and even students voiced their opinion against those who have managed to keep the film out of cinemas.

``I should admit that I have not seen Fire, but the protest in connection with the screening of the film has to be seen as part of the growing insensitivity by a section towards any work of art. It is not a question of creative freedom alone. Fundamentalism is growing in almost every field. It is a political game and the players have chosen Fire as an issue to whipup a frenzy among the public. The recent defeat in the elections has hurt, and there is a growing anti-Government feeling in Maharasthra. The protest against the film is obviously one tactic to stay afloat,'' said K P Kumaran, director.

Kumaran should empathise with Mehta. His acclaimed film Rugmini, which was based on a story by Madhavikutty and dealt with the life of a child prostitute, raised many eyebrows in the State with the self-righteous Doordarshan even refusing to telecast the film.

Kerala Women's Commission chairperson Sugathakumari was of the opinion that no work of art could be suppressed by violence. ``I have not seen the film but feel that violence should not be used to suppress any work of art. That should not happen in a democracy. Pure art will remain, after all is said and done, while others will become extinct,'' she said.

A women's workshop, organised by the Kerala University Union here today, passed a resolution in protest against the fascist attack on Fire by asection.

``By forcefully concluding the film at a particular point, when the central character Radha's (Shabana Azmi) saree catches fire while confronting her husband, affirming her decision to walk out on him, the message is one of patriarchal authority on female transgression. This is against the objective of the film,'' she said.

Meera, a housewife, said, ``You may or may not like the film but one cannot ignore it. It's there in most of the homes,'' a school teacher at Kochi said.