Overview
- 'Phule,' directed by Ananth Mahadevan, released in theatres on April 25, 2025, following delays due to censorship and protests over caste representation.
- The biographical drama stars Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa as Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, showcasing their pioneering efforts in women's education and caste reform in 19th-century India.
- Early reviews commend the lead performances, particularly Gandhi's portrayal of Jyotirao and Patralekhaa's powerful scenes as Savitribai, though the film's slow pacing is noted as a drawback.
- The film adopts a documentary-style approach, focusing on historical authenticity over grand cinematic elements, which some critics found less engaging.
- At a special Mumbai screening, the cast and team paid tribute to victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, underlining the film's broader social message.