Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding "Phule," a film that tells the story of social reformer Jyotirao Phule. Starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha, the movie was set to premiere on April 11, but faced backlash from a segment of the Brahmin community over how its members are depicted.

Known for tackling socio-political themes in his works like "Article 14," "Mulk," and "Bheed," Anubhav expressed his disappointment regarding the situation. He took to Instagram to share a detailed message discussing "Santosh," "Dhadak 2," and "Phule," all of which address issues of casteism and have experienced delays in their release.

In his note, Anubhav questioned, "Is there no caste system in our society? Has it not existed for ages? Why do we deceive ourselves? And why should films be dishonest? Ultimately, what the Election Commission permits in speeches and what the CBFC approves in films should align, as both engage with society."

Young people should check out films like Santosh, Dhadhak 2, and Phule

Anubhav added, “Instead, young people who are eager to shape the future should come together to watch films like Santosh, Dhadak 2, and Phule in theaters. Whether you agree or disagree is another matter. The smart youth of our nation will see that these movies aren’t causing division; they’re highlighting the importance of societal unity.”

Uncomfortable talks are crucial. Problems that started before 1947 are still around, along with those that emerged later. We can only progress by finishing these unfinished conversations; otherwise, we'll be stuck in the past and miss out on the future, he noted.

What’s the debate surrounding Phule?

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued a 'U' certificate for Phule on April 7, according to PTI, and requested the producers to make several changes. These changes included the removal of words like 'Mang', 'Mahar', and 'Peshwai', as well as altering the phrase '3,000 saal purani ghulami' to 'kai saal purani ghulami', which director Ananth Mahadevan confirmed they followed.

Pratik urged the Brahmin community not to form opinions about the film based solely on its trailer.

"I was taken aback by the response, but I can see their perspective. I'm just asking them to watch the film before making a judgment because what they've seen is only the trailer. The lines shown are taken out of context," Pratik shared in an interview with PTI.

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