✅ Phule (2025) is an Indian Hindi-language biographical drama that portrays the inspiring lives of social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, highlighting their pioneering efforts in education and the fight against caste and gender discrimination in 19th-century India.

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8.4/10

Phule

Director: Ananth Mahadevan

Writer: Muazzam Beg, Ananth Mahadevan

Stars: Darsheel Safary, Vinay Pathak, Patralekhaa Paul

Plot: A husband and wife, it was the time of child marriage when girl child was refused education and pushed into marriage, he chose to educate his wife and were a social reformer they went to campaign for increased rights for underpriv...

Countries: India

Languages: Hindi

IMDb: View on IMDb

Phule (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Phule (2025)
• Language: Hindi
• Budget: ₹25 crore (estimated)
• Revenue: ₹6.76 crore (India net lifetime, as of June 2025)
• Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes)
• Release Date: April 25, 2025 (India)
• Genres: Biography, Drama, History
• Cast: Pratik Gandhi (Jyotiba Phule), Patralekhaa (Savitribai Phule), Darsheel Safary, Vinay Pathak (Govindrao – Jyotiba’s father), Joy Sengupta, Alexx O’Nell, Amit Behl, Sushil Pandey.
• Directors: Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
• Screenplay: Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, Muazzam Beg
• Studios & Producers:
  • Production Companies: Dancing Shiva Productions, Kingsmen Productions
  • Distributed by: Zee Studios
  • Producers: Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Pranay Chokshi, Ritesh Kudecha, Sunil Jain, Jagdish Patel
• Voice Cast: N/A (Live-action film)
• Animation & Style: Live-action

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Plot Summary

“Phule” is a biographical drama that delves into the inspiring lives of Jyotirao Phule (Pratik Gandhi) and Savitribai Phule (Patralekhaa), visionary social reformers of 19th-century India. The film begins during the bubonic plague in Pune in 1897, highlighting Savitribai’s humanitarian efforts, then shifts to a flashback exploring their early lives. It showcases Jyotirao’s revolutionary decision to educate his wife, Savitribai, at a time when girl child education and women’s rights were severely restricted. Together, they confront fierce societal resistance, including from upper-caste Brahmins and even Jyotiba’s own father, as they tirelessly campaign for increased rights for the underprivileged, establish schools for girls and marginalized communities, and challenge deeply entrenched caste and gender norms. The film is a sincere tribute to their unwavering dedication to social change and their fight against systemic discrimination.

Cast & Crew

Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, “Phule” features compelling performances from its lead cast. Pratik Gandhi delivers an internalized and sincere portrayal of Jyotiba Phule, bringing a quiet intensity to the reformer’s character. Patralekhaa shines brightly as Savitribai Phule, offering an immersive and powerful performance that captures the reformer’s resilience and empathy with striking clarity, arguably making her role as impactful as her husband’s. The supporting cast, including Vinay Pathak as Jyotiba’s conservative father and Joy Sengupta as an antagonist, provide solid contributions. The film’s musical score is by Rohan-Rohan, with lyrics by Kausar Munir, enhancing the narrative’s emotional depth.

Critical & Audience Response

“Phule” received mixed reviews from critics. While praised for its sincere and unflinching portrayal of historical truths and the inspiring contributions of the Phules, some reviews noted a straightforward narrative that occasionally lacked cinematic highs. Critics lauded Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa’s performances, with Patralekhaa’s portrayal of Savitribai particularly standing out. The film was appreciated for its visual authenticity in recreating 19th-century Maharashtra and for avoiding melodrama. However, it faced some pre-release controversies regarding its depiction of certain communities, leading to a delayed release. At the box office, it struggled, being termed a “flop” with limited recovery of its budget.

Direction & Cinematography

Ananth Narayan Mahadevan’s direction in “Phule” is noted for its competent and grounded approach to a sensitive biographical subject. He aims for realism, portraying the Phules’ struggles without resorting to sensationalism. The cinematography by Sunita Radia contributes significantly to the film’s visual authenticity, effectively recreating the textures and atmosphere of 19th-century Maharashtra. The visual style is designed to immerse the audience in the period and the social challenges faced by the reformers, providing a genuine backdrop for the powerful narrative.

Music & Background Score

The music for “Phule,” composed by Rohan-Rohan with lyrics by Kausar Munir, serves to enhance the film’s emotional depth and highlight its poignant moments. The score is expected to be evocative, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. While not a conventional musical, the songs and background score contribute to the narrative’s intensity and inspire a sense of hope and change, aligning with the film’s historical and social themes.

Visuals & Special Effects

“Phule” primarily focuses on historical accuracy and character-driven drama, rather than extensive visual effects. The film’s visuals are impactful due to its authentic production design and careful recreation of the 19th-century setting. Any special effects would be subtle, serving to enhance the period ambiance and the portrayal of social conditions. The strength of the visuals lies in their ability to transport the audience back in time and make the historical context feel tangible and real.

Editing & Screenplay

The screenplay by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan and Muazzam Beg is praised for its sincere and grounded approach to the lives of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. It effectively highlights their struggles against societal injustices and their dedication to education. Raunak Phadnis’s editing maintains a measured pace, allowing the story to unfold naturally without melodrama. The film’s narrative structure, though linear, is designed to emphasize key moments of social reform and personal courage, ensuring the audience remains engaged with the Phules’ significant contributions to Indian society.

Positives / What Works

The film’s primary strengths are the powerful and sincere performances by Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, who bring depth and conviction to their roles. The authentic recreation of 19th-century India, particularly the social and historical context, is also commendable. “Phule” is praised for its honest and unflinching portrayal of the Phules’ fight against caste and gender discrimination, making it an important and inspiring biopic that sheds light on their monumental contributions.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

“Phule” has faced some criticism for its straightforward narrative, which some reviewers found to be too conventional or lacking unexpected cinematic highs, potentially limiting its broader appeal. Its performance at the box office was also underwhelming, indicating it struggled to attract a large audience despite its important subject matter. Additionally, pre-release controversies related to its sensitive portrayal of historical events might have impacted its reception.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Phule” is a significant and heartfelt biographical drama that serves as a crucial tribute to the indelible legacy of Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule. While it adheres to a traditional narrative style, its strength lies in the powerful performances of its lead actors and its authentic depiction of a pivotal period in Indian social reform. Despite facing commercial challenges, the film is an important watch for its historical value and its unwavering commitment to shedding light on the inspiring struggle for education and equality. It is a respectful and moving portrayal of real-life heroes.

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