Actor Pratik Gandhi expressed deep disappointment over the postponement of Phule, a biographical film on social reformer Jyotirao Phule, which was originally set for release on April 11 — the 197th anniversary of Phule's birth. Gandhi described the missed date as a lost historical opportunity and a personal letdown, though he acknowledged the decision was beyond his control.
The delay follows controversy and backlash from certain sections, particularly the Brahmin community. While the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted the film a ‘U’ certificate on April 7, it came with several mandated edits. These included the removal of caste-specific terms like Mang, Mahar, and Peshwai, and a softening of a powerful phrase from “3,000 saal purani ghulami” (“3,000 years of oppression”) to “kai saal purani ghulami” (“oppression of many years”). Director Ananth Mahadevan confirmed that the team made all the required changes without compromising the film’s essence.
Gandhi emphasized that the film’s intention was never to target any community, and he directly addressed the Brahmin community in his remarks: “Please watch the film and then decide. What’s being judged is a trailer, and lines taken out of context. The film is not against anyone.”
Director Mahadevan supported this sentiment, sharing that he had engaged in dialogue with representatives of the Brahmin community to clarify the film’s historical accuracy. He pointed out that even during Phule’s time, many progressive Brahmins supported his work, including the establishment of schools and the Satyashodhak Samaj. He stressed that the film is not agenda-driven but rooted in documented history.
Now scheduled to release on April 25, Phule continues to be in the spotlight for how it handles sensitive social themes, while its makers and lead actor advocate for understanding through open-minded viewing rather than pre-judgment.
