'Phule' gets positive reviews amid censorship row: Netizens say Pratik Gandhi, Patralekhaa-starrer rewrote history

The much-anticipated film 'Phule', starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, has finally been released in theatres. The movie, which was originally scheduled to hit screens on April 10, faced delays due to legal complications surrounding its theme. However, it had a smooth release today (April 25).

Following the unexpected delay, the film is now receiving decent reviews on social media, with users sharing their early reactions.

Many viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their opinions and encouraged others to watch the film. One social media user wrote, “They didn’t just fight injustice—they rewrote history! #Phule is a powerful tribute to Jyotiba & Savitribai—India’s OG changemakers. From classrooms to caste battles, their legacy roars on screen! Witness the fire. Feel the fight. #PhuleTheFilm #SupportPhuleTheFilm.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="hi" dir="ltr">फ़िल्म देखनी चाहिए कैसे पितृसता विचार लिए बैठे लोग आखिर किस तरह एक स्त्री को कैसे रोकते हैं <br/>फूले दंपति ने स्कूल खोला, शूद्रों को समानता का अधिकार दिलाना कितना कठिन रहा होगा <br/><br/>ऐसी फ़िल्मों को प्रोत्साहन मिलना चाहिए, सरकार से भी इसे समर्थन मिलना चाहिए, प्रचार कीजिए<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phule?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Phule</a> <a href="https://t.co/3rvRJ8RjKH">pic.twitter.com/3rvRJ8RjKH</a></p>&mdash; अविनाश बराला / Avinash Barala ☸️ (@Avinash_Barala) <a href="https://twitter.com/Avinash_Barala/status/1915738620754797016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Another user praised the film's theme, stating, “When this #Phule is facing so much opposition today, imagine how much resistance Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule would have encountered 175 years ago. How difficult it must have been to open and run a school for girls, and to fight for equal rights for Shudras. Such films should be encouraged—by the government and the public alike.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="hi" dir="ltr">जब इस <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phule?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Phule</a> मूवी का आज इतना विरोध हो रहा है तो सोचो 175 साल पहले ज्योतिबा फुले और सावित्री बाई फुले का कितना विरोध हुआ होगा?<br/><br/>लड़कियों के लिए स्कूल खोलना और चलाना, शूद्रों को समानता का अधिकार दिलाना, कितना कठिन रहा होगा?<br/><br/>ऐसी फ़िल्मों को प्रोत्साहन मिलना चाहिए, सरकार से भी आपसे <a href="https://t.co/RlcxpsY1lB">pic.twitter.com/RlcxpsY1lB</a></p>&mdash; Akhilesh yadav (@AkhileshYa76217) <a href="https://twitter.com/AkhileshYa76217/status/1915741886746107922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A third user commented, “You must watch the film to understand how people with patriarchal mindsets try to suppress women. The Phule couple opened a school—imagine how challenging it must have been to advocate for the Shudras’ right to equality. Such films deserve support, including from the government. Promote them. #Phule.”



'Phule' revisits the relentless struggle of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule against caste-based discrimination and their pioneering efforts in promoting women's education in 19th-century India.

Director Anant Mahadevan had earlier addressed the controversy regarding the film’s delayed release. He confirmed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had requested certain cuts after some members of the Brahmin community raised concerns about the film’s theme.