In addition to advocating for women’s literacy, Jyotiba Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, made significant contributions to the end of the caste system in India in the late 1800s. Since this was stated from the outset, the author is free to discuss only the film and its advantages and disadvantages. Phule, which stars Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa and was directed by Ananth Mahadevan, aims to be a true biopic on the lives of the two reformers.
After Savitribai’s humanitarian work for the victims of the Great Plague in Pune (then Poona), the story jumps to a flashback in which Jyotiba, Savitribai’s husband at the time, consents to educate her in spite of opposition from his family and community. Their relationship is one of equality right from the beginning, and Ananth gets the vibe of the biopic right.
We don’t talk about these unsung heroes of India enough, but Phule will undoubtedly educate a lot of people about them. The movie has a few particularly memorable scenes. For example, when a man tries to threaten Savitribai, she reprimands him. Or the moment in court where Pratik defeats a gang of Brahmins who oppose his efforts to end the caste system.
Cramming so much into a little over two hours is where the movie starts to feel weak. As a result, one becomes fatigued before to the interval. It was never intended to be like a history chapter in class X, which meticulously covers everything, but I don’t think the creators have omitted anything. The events on screen are not handled like a movie. And as the conclusion draws closer, one hopes it will at least conclude on a timely and meaningful note. However, it goes on and on. Actually, there isn’t a climax.
It doesn’t help that both of the main performers, despite their best attempts, occasionally succumb to stereotyped representations. The plot veers between admirable actions, but it doesn’t concentrate on helping us comprehend these two characters. The production design’s attention to detail is excellent. However, Rohan-Rohan’s music is mediocre. All things considered, Phule is a genuine, significant movie that is spoilt by an overly straightforward script and handling.
