Phule, a 2025 Hindi biographical drama directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, hit theaters on April 25, 2025, after a delay due to controversies over its depiction of caste dynamics. Starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa as Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, the film chronicles the couple’s pioneering fight for women’s education and caste equality in 19th-century India. Produced by Dancing Shiva Films, Kingsmen Productions, and Zee Studios, Phule aims to spotlight the unsung reformers who laid the foundation for social justice. While it excels in historical authenticity and Pratik Gandhi’s compelling performance, the film’s sluggish pacing and documentary-style storytelling hinder its emotional impact. This review explores its narrative, performances, technical aspects, and audience reception.
In This Article:
Plot and Narrative
The film opens in 1897 amid Pune’s bubonic plague, showcasing Savitribai’s (Patralekhaa) humanitarian efforts before flashing back to the 1840s. It traces Jyotirao Phule’s (Pratik Gandhi) awakening to caste oppression and his resolve to educate girls, starting with his child bride, Savitribai. Facing resistance from upper-caste Brahmins and his own father, Govindrao (Vinay Pathak), Jyotirao persists, establishing India’s first girls’ school and the Satyashodhak Samaj to challenge social norms. The script, penned by Mahadevan and Muazzam Beg, covers key milestones—widow rehabilitation, water access for “untouchables,” and defiance of child marriage—but crams too much into its 127-minute runtime, resulting in a talky, episodic narrative. While moments like Savitribai’s fiery courtroom monologue resonate, the film feels more educational than immersive, diluted by censorship-driven edits that soften its critique of caste.
Performances
Pratik Gandhi is the film’s heartbeat, delivering a nuanced portrayal of Jyotirao with quiet conviction and subtle physicality as the reformer ages. His understated intensity elevates even weaker scenes, earning widespread praise. Patralekhaa shines in parts as Savitribai, particularly in confrontational moments, but her performance occasionally feels rehearsed, failing to fully embody the reformer’s depth. Vinay Pathak leaves a mark as the conservative Govindrao, while Joy Sengupta’s antagonistic Brahmin is effective but repetitive. Supporting actors like Akshaya Gurav (Fatima Sheikh) and Jayesh More (Usman Sheikh) add warmth, though Darsheel Safary’s role as the Phules’ adopted son is underutilized. The ensemble’s sincerity compensates for the script’s limitations but can’t fully overcome its lack of emotional depth.
Technical Aspects
Mahadevan’s direction prioritizes authenticity, with Sunita Radia’s cinematography vividly recreating 19th-century Maharashtra’s marigold fields and dim-lit interiors. Real locations enhance the period feel, but the visual style remains functional rather than evocative. Raunak Phadnis’s editing struggles to maintain momentum, contributing to the film’s sluggish pace. The flute-heavy background score and songs are unremarkable, failing to elevate key moments. While the film’s restraint avoids Bollywood’s melodramatic tropes, its docu-drama approach lacks cinematic flair, making it feel like a history lesson rather than a lived experience.
Audience Reception and Impact
X posts reveal mixed sentiments. Some laud Phule as an “inspiring” and “authentic” tribute to the Phules, rating it 3.5/5 for Gandhi’s performance and historical significance. Others call it “boring” and “disjointed,” criticizing its lack of rhythm and emotional grip, with one user lamenting it as “almost terrible” despite its strong subject matter. The film’s release, marred by CBFC-mandated cuts following Brahmin community objections, sparked debate over censorship, yet its box office performance remains modest, overshadowed by flashier releases. Its relevance in highlighting ongoing caste and gender issues is undeniable, but its execution limits its reach.
Phule is a well-intentioned biopic that honors Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule’s monumental contributions with sincerity and historical fidelity. Pratik Gandhi’s stellar performance and the film’s focus on a lesser-known reform movement make it a vital watch for those interested in social justice. However, its slow, talky screenplay and muted emotional resonance prevent it from soaring as a cinematic experience. The CBFC’s edits further blunt its edge, leaving it a shadow of the fiery revolution it depicts. Phule educates but struggles to inspire, a missed opportunity to fully ignite the reformers’ legacy. Watch it for its message and Gandhi’s brilliance, but temper expectations for storytelling flair.
-By Manoj H
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