The release of Phule, directed by Ananth Mahadevan, has been pushed back by two weeks from its original release date of April 11. The film, starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, which chronicles the lives and revolutionary work of 19th-century social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, has faced a campaign from Brahmins over its portrayal of caste-related themes.
According to reports, objections were raised by segments of the Brahmin community in Maharashtra, who claimed that the film misrepresents their community and portrays them in a negative light.
Following the campaign by upper-caste Hindu community, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked the filmmakers to implement a series of edits.
These include the removal of a voiceover that discusses the caste system, along with specific terms such as ‘Mahar’, ‘Mang’, ‘Peshwai’, and ‘Manu system of caste’. Additionally, several lines of dialogue have also been flagged for modification.
One of the notable changes involves replacing a visual of “a man carrying a broom” with a scene where “boys are shown throwing cow dung balls at Savitribai.” Dialogues have also been asked to be altered. The line “Jahan kshudro ko……jhadu bandhkar chalna chahiye” has been recommended to be changed to “Kya yahi hamari….. sabse doori banake rakhni chahiye”, while “3000 saal puraani…..gulaami” is suggested to be modified to “Kai saal purani hai.”
The film co-written by Mahadevan and Muazzam Beg, sheds light on the Phules’ crusade against caste discrimination and their advocacy for women’s education in colonial India.
Among the groups objecting to the film are the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj and the Parshuram Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal, who have formally expressed their objections. Addressing these concerns, Mahadevan stated that he has already held discussions with Brahmin community representatives to clarify that certain members of the Brahmin community had, in fact, supported Phule’s efforts including the establishment of around 20 schools and the Satyashodhak Samaj. He further emphasized, “The film is not agenda driven and only presents facts.”
Although the CBFC had initially granted Phule a U certificate, the certification was later revised, and the board called for additional edits. The filmmakers have reportedly submitted verified historical documentation to substantiate the factual claims made in the movie.
