Director Ananth Mahadevan has clarified recent reports surrounding the release of his film Phule, based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule. In a statement given to news agency PTI, Mahadevan explained that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had only suggested “amendments” and not cuts to the film, as earlier speculated. He also addressed the controversy surrounding the film’s delayed release, which was largely influenced by protests from the Brahmin community.
The film, starring Pratik Gandhi as Jyotirao Phule and Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule, was initially slated for release this Friday but will now be hitting theaters on April 25. Mahadevan revealed that the decision to postpone the film’s release was to allow time to clear the growing controversy and better manage the objections raised by some members of the Brahmin community.
“The CBFC suggested some amendments, I wouldn’t call it cuts,” Mahadevan said. “I want to clarify that there are no cuts as such. We did what they felt was necessary for the film to be accessible to a broader audience. The film is very educative and meant for youth.” He expressed his surprise at the storm of conflict, calling it “exaggerated and unnecessary.”
The controversy surrounding Phule began after the release of its trailer on April 10, which led to protests from certain sections of the Brahmin community. They claimed that the film depicted them in a negative light. In response, Mahadevan emphasized that the objections were largely based on the trailer and that the actual film does not contain any content that would warrant such a reaction.
“The Brahmins got carried away by a two-minute trailer, but there is nothing objectionable in the movie. The protest started between two groups, and we just wanted to calm them down,” Mahadevan explained. “We didn’t want to lose out on our audience. It’s better for everyone to come together and watch the film peacefully.”
The director further clarified that the delay was to ensure that any misunderstandings were addressed. “The producer and distributor got together and decided to postpone the release for two more weeks to clear all the controversies and talk to the media,” he added.
Phule has been awarded a ‘U’ certificate by the CBFC, but with a few changes suggested. These included the removal of certain terms such as ‘Mang’, ‘Mahar’, and ‘Peshwai’, a modification of a visual involving a broom, and the adjustment of the line ‘3000 saal purani gulami’ to ‘Kai saal purani’.
Despite the challenges, Mahadevan remains confident that the film will resonate with audiences once it is released. Phule tells the powerful story of the Phule couple’s fight for social reform, and with the film’s biographical nature, it brings to light the struggles they faced in their quest to empower marginalized communities.
In the coming weeks, as the release date approaches, all eyes will be on Phule and how the filmmakers manage to address the controversies surrounding it. For now, Mahadevan’s efforts to navigate the sensitive issues and engage with critics and supporters alike reflect his commitment to ensuring that the film reaches its intended audience.
Sources By Agencies
