Phule

"Phule" is more than a film-it's a tribute to one of India's most revolutionary social reformers. Jyotirao Phule, along with Savitribai Phule, courageously challenged the deeply entrenched Brahmanical dominance in 19th-century India. At a time when caste oppression and patriarchy ruled every aspect of life, Phule fought for the rights of the oppressed, opened the first school for girls in 1848, and established the Satyashodhak Samaj to promote social equality. He fearlessly questioned the Manusmriti and other religious texts that justified untouchability and gender discrimination. Phule's intellectual fire and moral courage laid the foundation for social justice in modern India. This film does justice to his legacy by bringing his forgotten revolution back to public consciousness. A must-watch for anyone who values truth, equality, and courage."

I just watched Phule and honestly, I'm surprised how so many bad reviews have piled up against it. It doesn't feel organic. Looks like there's a campaign going on.

I went to the theatre pulled by the lure of Pratik Gandhi, Anant Mahadevan, and the legend of Jyotiba Phule. But when I came out, it was Savitribai (Patralekha) who stayed with me the most. What a performance. Strong, tender, fierce - everything Savitribai deserved.

Phule is a beautiful, honest telling of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule's lives - their struggles, the amount of hate they had to eat just to do something as simple and pure as educating girls and the so-called 'lower castes'. Watching it, you realise how much of the modern, educated India we are proud of, actually rests on the shoulders of these two.

Yeah, I heard some groups forced the makers to tone down a few words. But even then, the message shines through, loud and unapologetic. It's a well-directed, splendidly-acted film. Very real.

The practices, the tensions, the way society was wired back then - I don't think I've seen that period captured this authentically before.

In fact, during the film, my mother kept telling me little things - like how 'shudra shadows' were a real thing, how zamindars thought of themselves as gods.

The theatre was packed for an evening show, and when the movie ended, there was applause. Some guys even started chanting "Jai Phule!" My mother said it delivered its message way better than Chhaava did.

And then there's Pratik Gandhi. Man has a hypnotic presence. There's a scene - a close-up - where Phule looks straight into the camera and says: "India is an emotional country. It's easy to divide us on religion and caste. And this won't stop. People will keep trying." You could hear a pin drop in the hall. It felt like he wasn't just warning people of that time - he was warning us.

Which is why I'm honestly shocked to see some people (like The Wire) call this a 'dull' or 'neutered' biopic. Were we watching the same film?

For me, Phule sits right next to OMG 2 - both using education as a weapon for rediscovering equality.

The film is clever too - it shows how Phule could see through the British agenda of using English education to convert Hindus to Christianity. He understood it, but still used English education to arm the oppressed, to build a better future. He didn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. He was smart about it.

First half went by so fast, my mum asked me, "Interval already?" That's how engaging it was.

More than anything, Phule planted something in me - a want to read more about the Satyashodhak Samaj, about the man who lit the torch that later Babasaheb Ambedkar carried forward.

At a time when students like Rohith Vemula are still being crushed for their caste, when religious extremists are still poisoning minds, when tensions between communities are being deliberately stoked - a film like Phule becomes necessary.

There's a brilliant scene where religious leaders accuse Phule of westernising society, and he simply says - "If your religion can give your children the power to become doctors and engineers, go ahead. Otherwise, let them learn." Chills.

It's a rare feeling when a movie feels like a personal win. For me, Phule did. And I'm glad I watched it.

This show courageously tackles some of the darkest realities of Indian society - the deep-rooted caste system, the discriminatory Varna system, and the oppressive ideology of Brahminism. It fearlessly pulls back the curtain on practices that have been normalized for centuries but are fundamentally unjust and inhumane. The show does not shy away from exposing how systems like untouchability and caste-based segregation have perpetuated inequality and suffering for generations.

What stands out most is how the series challenges the myth of "Hindu unity" - a notion often propagated in political and cultural spheres. By depicting the lived experiences of people from oppressed castes, the show reveals that the so-called unity is often a facade, papering over the brutal realities of social hierarchies and exclusion. The narrative makes it painfully clear that many marginalized communities have been historically excluded from the promises of equality and dignity, despite rhetoric claiming otherwise.

The depiction of Brahminism here is particularly bold and unflinching. It is not treated as a benign cultural tradition but shown for what it often becomes in practice: a tool for social control and discrimination. The show rightly distinguishes between faith and the exploitative structures built around it. It exposes how Brahminical supremacy has been maintained through myths, rituals, and systemic control over knowledge and resources. By doing so, it challenges viewers to rethink assumptions that have been passed down without question.

Another powerful aspect is how the show gives voice to the oppressed. Instead of romanticizing suffering or offering token representation, it lets the marginalized speak their truth. Their anger, their grief, and their resistance are given center stage. It's a breath of fresh air compared to the mainstream narratives that either ignore or sanitize these harsh realities.

In terms of storytelling, the series is hard-hitting and uncompromising. It does not dilute its message to appeal to broader audiences, nor does it resort to unnecessary melodrama. Instead, it presents a raw, honest portrayal that forces the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths. Every scene feels charged with purpose - to educate, to awaken, and to demand change.

This kind of work is rare in Indian media, where the mainstream often glorifies ancient systems without critical examination. The courage shown by the creators deserves immense appreciation. They have taken significant risks in choosing to expose the fraudulence and brutality inherent in Brahminism and the caste system. It is a bold act of truth-telling, and it will undoubtedly spark necessary conversations.

At the same time, it's important to recognize that the show is not an attack on individual faith or spirituality. It draws a clear line between personal belief and systemic oppression. The criticism is directed at the caste-based discrimination institutionalized through social and religious practices, not at any particular individual's right to their faith. This distinction is crucial and handled thoughtfully throughout the series.

In conclusion, this show is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the harsh realities of caste in India beyond sanitized textbooks and propaganda. It dares to say what needs to be said: that discrimination is woven deep into social structures, and true equality demands confronting these uncomfortable truths head-on. It is an eye-opener, a conversation starter, and a brave step toward dismantling age-old injustices.

Highly recommended for those who value truth, justice, and real social progress. Bravo to the creators for their fearless and much-needed work.

If I was watching this movie at home I probably would stop.

As I went to the theatre and spent money on it so I have to make my eyes open.

The struggle of history is not shown in this movie because it seems everything is just happening here very smoothly.

The story is not portrayed well here by the director.

My brother was insisting me to go for thunderbolt as he likes marvel but I assured him that phule would be a great choice but. Whn we went to see it the first half was okay we didn't bore but in the latter one we were like "let's go home we should not watch this anymore and there is no necessary to watch this.

Phule is not just a movie - it's an eye-opener. Every woman in India must watch this film to truly understand the harsh reality of where we come from, and what could have been if visionaries like Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule hadn't fought relentlessly for women's education.

The film sheds light on the brutal oppression faced by women, regardless of their caste - even Brahmin women - and how deeply entrenched the system was in denying them the basic right to education. Had Phule not challenged the orthodoxy and dared to fight against the system, the lives of Indian women today could have been drastically different - far worse and far more suppressed.

Phule serves as a stark reminder that rights like education, dignity, and equality were hard-won, not granted easily. It's a warning too - if women today do not stay vigilant and assert their rights, there is always the danger of slipping back into the same dark times, where, under the guise of religion and tradition, women's freedoms could again be curtailed.

The right to life, liberty, and education is not just for men - women must recognise this and fight to protect it. Watch Phule not just as a movie, but as a call to action.