Filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap has voiced his worries about the censorship challenges encountered by Ananth Mahadevan's biopic, Phule. The film's launch was allegedly delayed after some members of the Brahmin community in Maharashtra objected to how they were portrayed.

Anurag is taken aback that the community appeared to have seen the film prior to its official debut, raising questions about how that preview came about.

Anurag Kashyap shares his thoughts

Anurag expressed his frustration on Instagram Stories regarding the entire situation. Reflecting on his personal ties to the narrative, he shared, “The first play I ever performed was about Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. If casteism wasn’t a problem in this country, why would they have had to fight? Now it seems like these Brahmin folks are either feeling embarrassed, suffering from that embarrassment, or maybe they’re living in some kind of alternate Brahmin-only India that we can’t see. Can someone please clarify—who’s really the fool here?”

In a separate post, the filmmaker criticized the censorship process, stating, “I have to ask, when a film is submitted for censorship, there are four people on the board. How do these groups and factions get to see the films unless they’re granted access? The entire system is totally rigged.”

Anurag thinks that Phule is one of many films being stifled because of its daring and straightforward themes. He points to other titles like Punjab 95, Tees, and Dhadak 2, implying that these movies are under fire for showcasing uncomfortable realities. In a post mentioning these films, the creator of Black Friday expressed, “I have no idea how many other films are being blocked that reveal the agenda of this casteist, regionalist, racist government… they’re so ashamed to confront their own reflection. They’re too scared to even discuss what specifically about the film troubles them. Total cowards.”

The filmmaker took to Instagram to voice his frustration, saying, “Bhai mil ke decide kar lo. India mein casteism hai ya nahi... (Please meet and decide if casteism exists in India or not).”

Anurag added, “During the screening of Dhadak 2, the censor board claimed that Modi ji has eliminated the caste system in India. Based on that, Santosh wasn’t released here either. Now, Brahmins are upset about Phule. If there’s no caste system, then how can you identify as a Brahmin? Who are you really? Why are you so agitated? If the caste system didn’t exist, then why did Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Bai matter? Either your Brahmin identity doesn’t hold up because, according to Modi, there’s no caste system in India, or everyone is just playing a trick. Let’s settle this once and for all: does casteism exist in India or not? People aren’t naive. Are you Brahmins, or are the ones in power the real deal? Make a decision now.”

What information do we have regarding the Phule controversy?

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued a 'U' certificate to the filmmakers on April 7, but requested several changes. They asked for the removal of terms like 'Mang', 'Mahar', and 'Peshwai', and for the phrase '3,000 saal purani ghulami' to be changed to 'kai saal purani ghulami', which director Ananth Mahadevan confirmed they made.

Originally set to hit theaters on April 11, the release of Phule, starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha, has been postponed to April 25 due to concerns raised by some members of the Brahmin community regarding their depiction in the film. Phule tells the story of social reformers Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, portrayed by Pratik Gandhi, and his wife Savitribai Phule, played by Patralekhaa. Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, the film focuses on their battle against caste discrimination and gender inequality.

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