Phule review: Pratik-Patralekhaa's revolutionary film dimmed by dull storytelling

India Today

25-04-2025

In one of the most heartening scenes, days before he dies, Jyotirao Phule looks up at the sky, questioning God whether his doors would open for the lower caste people. He mentions how he's seen the temple closed for him and his community all his life. While this particular sequence comes towards the end of Ananth Mahadevan's latest directorial, 'Phule', it encompasses the crux of the biographical drama.advertisementIt's heartbreaking that not many know about Jyotirao Phule and his ever-supportive wife, Savitribai Phule - the fiery revolutionaries who kickstarted the movement for women's education in India and fought for the lower caste. However, it's sadder that the first Hindi film on these great reformers ended up as a dull and uninspiring watch.The film opens in 1897, when Pune was under the grim tragedy of the bubonic plague that killed many. Through Savitribai (Patralekha), we are transported back in time to when these visionaries began their fight against caste, patriarchy, and orthodox beliefs. And while they are challenged at every step, cow dung, stones and death threats also follow suit.
You watch in disbelief at the strength the two displayed as they took on Brahmins, their own family, and society to ensure young girls received an education. And while on the path, they also championed the upliftment of lower-caste people, supporting widows, preserving their dignity, and even digging a well in their compound so that untouchables could access water. But the film, shown in a muted colour palette, never fully takes you in with its banal storytelling.advertisementWhere the film stands out is in how honestly it portrays how religion and caste have been the biggest shackles for society to break out from. Also, as expected, women have to suffer at great extremes. The film, thankfully, is not preachy and becomes more like a mirror to the audience, showing how these beliefs have only marred the growth of any nation. When Phule talks about how India is a sensitive country and religion can be used to create a divide, you cannot help but chuckle at how we continue to be in the same position even after hundreds of years. One should probably take a leaf out of these stories to help build a better future for our next generation.Coming to performances, Pratik Gandhi effortlessly becomes Jyotirao Phule in this biographical drama. From dialogue delivery and expressions to those powerful emotions, full marks to Pratik. The makers ensured that Savitribai's contribution to the movement is highlighted, giving Patralekhaa a chance to sink her teeth into a powerful role. She also gets one of the most powerful monologues in the film when she confronts Brahmins about seeking as much hierarchy as the British, exposing the politics of the ones in power.advertisementHowever, even after an earnest try, she never wholly becomes Savitribai. Her dialogues seemed more like a child reciting rehearsed lines on stage rather than an actor feeling them. Actors Alexx O'Nell, Amit Behl, Joy Sengupta, and Akshaya Gurav ably added support to these lead stars, while Darsheel Safary was completely wasted as Phule's adopted son.As for director Ananth Mahadevan, for Bollywood fans, he may be known to have helmed a thriller like 'Aksar'; not many know he also directed Sindhutai Sapkal's Marathi biography 'Mee Sindhutai Sapkal', which earned him a National Award. The filmmaker picked a similar slow and docu-style approach for 'Phule' too. However, the two-hour-nine-minute runtime suffers from sluggish pacing, making the film drag midway. Given that it's such an inspiring story, you somehow want to stay connected, but the snail-paced screenplay makes it a weary watch. The songs and the flute-heavy background score also do not do much service to the drama.Given how little we know of Jyotirao Phule, the first Mahatma of this country, 'Phule' definitely deserves a watch. And if you are not up for it, at least read up on him and Savitribai's radical journey. They deserve a lot more recognition, respect, and glory. And just like Phule looking to the heavens for answers, perhaps it's time we look into our own history with the same hope - that someday, stories like theirs are told with the fire they lit.3 out of 5 stars of 'Phule'.Tune InMust Watch