PHULE-DIRECTOR-CONTROVERSY
The release of the film Phule, which portrays the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and Savitribai Phule, has been delayed not due to censor board-mandated changes, but rather because of concerns raised by members of the Brahmin community, director Ananth Mahadevan said on Friday.
The biographical film, starring Scam 1992 actor Pratik Gandhi in the title role and Patralekhaa (IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack) as Savitribai Phule, was originally scheduled for an April 11 release. It is now expected to hit theatres on April 25.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted the movie a ‘U’ certificate on April 7, requesting a few modifications, including replacing the terms ‘Mang’, ‘Mahar’, and ‘Peshwai’, altering a visual depicting a man with a broom to one showing boys flinging cow dung at Savitribai, and adjusting the line ‘3,000 saal purani gulami’ to the more general ‘kai saal purani’, among other minor revisions.
“They didn’t ask for cuts, just a few changes — I wouldn’t call them cuts,” Mahadevan told PTI. “We followed the CBFC’s recommendations. The board thought the film was appropriate for all age groups, especially the youth, and educational in nature. Frankly, the current uproar and backlash seem blown out of proportion and unwarranted.”
After the trailer was released online on April 10, certain Brahmin groups expressed disapproval, claiming the community was portrayed negatively.
Anand Dave, president of the Maharashtra-based Hindu Mahasangh, voiced his dissatisfaction after watching the trailer. He argued that the film unfairly emphasizes negative depictions of Brahmins while overlooking their positive contributions.
“The trailer shows a Brahmin boy throwing cow dung at Savitribai Phule,” Dave said. “While we acknowledge the need to present both good and bad aspects, there’s no mention of Brahmins who supported Mahatma Phule. Focusing only on negative traits doesn’t do justice to the community.
“If the filmmakers are trying to profit by sensationalizing caste issues, it sends the wrong message to both Indian and international audiences,” he added. “When we raised our concerns with Mahadevan, he responded that he had not misrepresented the community and requested 15 days’ time.”
Mahadevan maintained that the backlash was based on misinterpretation of a brief trailer, stressing that the film itself is respectful and inspirational.
“As a Brahmin myself, I’d never defame my own community,” he said. “This film was created to inspire change. I urge everyone to stay calm and give it a chance. A two-minute trailer can’t convey the film’s full message — it only presents a few dramatic highlights.”
He also stated that there were no plans to screen the film for Brahmin organizations ahead of its theatrical release.
The director explained that the decision to delay the film’s release was made in hopes of resolving the controversy and promoting a peaceful reception.
“They voiced their opinions online, and then other groups began questioning the protests. A conflict emerged between two factions. We wanted to cool things down and explain that their assumptions were misplaced.
“Our aim wasn’t to alienate audiences,” Mahadevan continued. “We wanted to ensure everyone could watch the film in a calm atmosphere. That’s why the producer and distributor decided to push the release by two weeks — to address the controversy through media outreach and allow time for reflection.”
Online, social media users have criticized the hurdles faced by films tackling caste discrimination, like Phule and Santosh.
One post expressed frustration: “Films about figures like #Savarkar or SambhajiMaharaj release without resistance. But projects like #Phule or
Santosh, which address caste realities, are met with constant pushback, delays, or censorship.
“It’s painfully ironic that those who claim casteism no longer exists are the ones stifling these stories. Their actions betray their supposed beliefs.”
A screenwriter also weighed in: “Anyone wondering why it’s so hard to make a truthful and powerful Hindi film — just look at what’s happening with Phule.”
Phule is produced by Dancing Shiva Films and Kingsmen Productions and will be distributed in cinemas by Zee Studios