Pratik Gandhi’s “Phule” Release Postponed Amid Controversy Over Caste Representation

The release of Ananth Mahadevan’s directorial venture “Phule,” which was set to release in theatres on April 11, has been delayed by two weeks to April 25, amidst increasing controversy over representing the caste. The Hindi film, starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, is based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, who famously struggled against caste and gender-based discrimination in 19th-century India.

The ruling to postpone release is due to objections raised by members of the Brahmin group over their character in the film. Groups aligned with the Maharashtra Brahmin community have objected to the film as defaming their heritage and being a distortion of historical facts.

Following these objections, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued some major changes prior to approving the release of the film. The CBFC has demanded the cut of a voiceover explaining the caste system and also the deletion of words that are deemed sensitive, including “Mahar,” “Mang,” “Peshwai,” and “Manus system of caste.” Other dialogues have also been modified so that they pass the approval of all audiences.

Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan has accepted the protest from the Brahmin community, with many letters voicing their concerns. In an interview with Mid-Day, Mahadevan said, “There is some misunderstanding after the trailer was launched. We want to clear those doubts so that there is no hassle in viewership.” He reiterated that the film presents the historical achievements of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule in fighting against casteism and promoting women’s education.

Among those who have raised their concerns are the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj and the Parshuram Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal. Mahadevan stated that he has personally met with the representatives of the Brahmin community to make it clear that some of the Brahmins did support Jyotirao Phule’s reforms, i.e., the opening of 20 schools and the Satyashodhak Samaj. He assured them that the film is not agenda-driven but an attempt to present facts of history in the proper way.

To begin with, the CBFC had already cleared the movie with a U certificate before requesting these new cuts. The filmmakers have also submitted supporting documents that substantiate the historical claims raised in the movie. As the release date approaches, the producers of “Phule” are hoping to iron out the problems and generate an understanding that puts the movie in sync with the community’s values without diluting its central message of social reform.