Phule Review: Story - Jyotiba Phule (Pratik Gandhi) and Savitribai Phule (Patralekhaa) have always gone against the grain. The youngster, who learned English at a time when it was seen as a tool against Indian culture, also taught his wife the language in order for them to work together to raise public awareness. They soon understand that it is the Brahmins who do not want the have-nots to improve their lot, since it gives them the ability to keep subjugating those they deem untouchable. Phule continues in Jyotiba and Savitribai's footsteps as they advocate for women's education, widows' rights, and the right to live free from the oppression of those who enslaved the marginalized.

Phule Review:

Consuming In times like these, when the nation is in disarray and people are at odds with one another, art may seem nearly illegal. It's really ironic when the artwork in question depicts a guy who battled similar evils to those we are currently facing. One of the most talked-about films of late has been Phule, which caused a stir by portraying a specific society. It narrates the tale of a Mahatma who rose from the ranks of the Dalits and granted them the right to exist. This is likely the tale that needs to be told the most in an era when news headlines are dominated by discussions about language, religion, and the injustices of the powerful against the marginalized, but it merited a higher level of narrative and craftsmanship.

Phule portrays the lives of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, who worked relentlessly for others and attempted to establish a just society around them. They refuted the idea that Dalits would climb the social ladder and "pollute" it, which Brahmins feared. As a result of their efforts, girls in India had access to formal education, and the marginalized were able to have a voice and a seat at the high table at a fair price. However, the movie's most letdown is that it condenses everything to a textbook reading. A good illustration of how such tales should be told is not Anandi Gopal.

Phule, written by Muazzam Beg and Ananth Mahadevan, is earnest in its goals yet excessively cautious in its narrative. It avoids courting controversy or provoking the gatekeepers of today. However, how can you tell the story of a revolutionary pair who caused outrage and even attempts on their lives without embracing the passion of that revolution? Phule's weakness is in that area. Like something you might see in a hazy museum animation, it turns into a sanitized narrative.

The screenplay has no goal of being consistent. It skips between chapters without making any connections. The story lacks the glue necessary to connect it, so even important elements, like aging the characters, are overlooked. Whether joyful or tragic, moments don't last long enough to have an effect. Phule ought to have made you feel uneasy before earning your respect. The respect is there, but not the emotional blow.

Phule has a certain "we shot this on a set and didn't go further" approach, in addition to its narrative flaws. For example, Jyotiba's older brother is a florist, and each time we see him, it's from the same perspective at the same door, which eventually highlights the monotony. Given that Ananth Mahadevan is a director known for much more sophisticated work, this lack of skill is especially upsetting. It seems improbable that the disputes may be so easily initiated and settled.

Pratik Gandhi makes a valiant attempt to channel the legendary character, and he succeeds admirably, but the screenplay prevents him from doing so. His speech has an artificial air about it because of the strange combination of Hindi and Marathi, especially because Marathi is not his first language. The attempt deserves full marks, but it seems like someone who doesn't speak Marathi is trying too hard. The same is true for Patralekhaa, whose accent is strongly urban. Her performance as a whole is underwhelming, yet she excels in emotional situations. Additionally, the poor dubbing, in which the audio and visuals frequently seem out of sync, does not help.

Although there are a few outstanding scenes, such the horrific famine scenes and Savitribai's trauma from being hit with cow dung by Brahmin boys, they are rare. That's a major disappointment considering the strength of the story. It's possible that the script was too young, or perhaps the editing process was subpar.

Phule Review: Final Verdict

Ananth Mahadevan’s Phule is brave in its choice of story and noble in intent—but it’s the execution that falters. A narrative this impactful demanded a bolder, more layered, and emotionally resonant treatment.

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