‘Phule’ Movie Review: Stellar Performances by Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa Undermined by Weak Screenplay

Director Ananth Mahadevan brings to the screen the story of two of India’s most significant social reformers — Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule — in the biographical drama Phule. With Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa in lead roles, the film sets out with the noble intent of spotlighting the pioneering efforts of the Phules, particularly in their fight against caste oppression and their relentless push for female literacy.

The film opens amidst Savitribai's humanitarian work during the Great Plague of Pune, before transitioning into a flashback narrative. It revisits how Jyotiba, married to the then-child Savitribai, made the radical decision to educate her, facing backlash from his family and society. Their relationship is portrayed as one of mutual respect and equality — a dynamic that director Mahadevan manages to capture effectively.

“What Jyotiba Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, did for the abolishment of the caste system in India in the late 1800s, apart from fighting for female literacy, cannot — and should not — be forgotten.”

The film’s intention is clearly rooted in education and awareness, and in that, it succeeds to a degree. “Phule will definitely educate many people on these unsung heroes of India, whom we don’t talk about enough.” Certain scenes leave a strong impression, such as when Savitribai confronts an aggressive man or when Jyotiba defends his ideals in court against upper-caste opposition. “Some scenes in the film truly stand out. Like the one where Savitribai shows a man his place when he tries to intimidate her. Or the courtroom scene where Pratik successfully stands up to a group of Brahmins who object to his attempts to abolish the caste system.”

However, the film’s biggest flaw lies in its pacing and structure. Attempting to pack in too much within a runtime of just over two hours, the narrative feels rushed and overwhelming. “Where the film begins to feel weak is cramming in so much into a little more than two hours' runtime. What it leads to is thus one getting exhausted before the intermission.” The film, at times, resembles a textbook rather than a cinematic journey. “What unfolds on screen isn’t treated like a film. And by the time the ending is near, one is hoping it will at least wrap up on a poignant note, on time. But again — it stretches on. There’s no climax really.”

Despite sincere efforts, the lead performances occasionally drift into exaggerated territory. “What doesn’t help is that both the leading actors, who put in decent efforts, sometimes give in to caricaturish portrayals.” While the screenplay leaps from one achievement to the next, it fails to delve into the personalities and emotional depths of its central characters. “The screenplay jumps from one good deed to another, but there’s no focus on making us understand these two people.”

On a technical front, the film deserves credit for its attention to period detail. The production design successfully recreates the historical era, though the music by Rohan-Rohan does little to elevate the emotional arc. “The attention to detail in the production design is commendable. Rohan-Rohan's music is average, though.”

In conclusion, Phule is a film of great importance and intention — a tribute to two towering figures in India’s social history. But despite its earnestness, it falters due to a simplistic screenplay and an uneven narrative treatment. “Overall, Phule is a sincere, important film, dulled by an oversimplistic screenplay and treatment.”