'Phule' movie review: An important, but imperfect film on Jyotirao and Savitri Phule

'Phule', a biographical drama based on the 19th-century firebrand revolutionary couple Jyotirao and Savitri Phule, who lit the flame of girls' education in India and worked to uplift people belonging to lower castes, is an important film. While Bhimrao Ambedkar is still present, although faintly, in the nation's political consciousness, the Phules, also Dalits from Maharashtra, are little known beyond the history textbooks. Not many even know that it was Jyotiba himself who first used the term Dalit for the untouchables. Also, at a time when most mainstream historical biopics in Hindi seem to be fanning nationalistic sentiments, the film on Phules, who stood against oppression by the upper castes, becomes an important one.

However, the film is far from perfect. The storytelling feels forced, the dialogues are verbose, and the two-hour-plus run time seems too stretched, although the film covers events spanning half a century until the 1890s.

It begins and ends in 1897 Pune when the city is caught in the grip of a bubonic plague outbreak, as Savitribai (Patralekhaa), carries a sick boy on her back, at the start. The disease ultimately kills her in the end. In between, the Ananth Mahadevan directorial takes the viewers through how merely-a-child Savitribai is educated by her much older husband Jyotiba, how they steer the cause of female education while resisting patriarchy, Brahmanical, societal and even familial opposition, how they work for the lower castes and widows, while not flinching even once at the face of staunch opposition and even violence.

In one of the scenes, as Jyotiba (Pratik Gandhi) approaches a group of Brahmins, they step back so as to evade his shadow, as even the shadow of a Dalit was considered polluting. However, an unperturbed Jyotiba marches on, his shadow assuming a much greater size than those trying to evade it. In another scene, Savitribai slaps a man who challenges her bid to educate the girls, and confidently walks away unflinchingly. That's the power of education, which this social reformer couple gave to countless Indian girls.

However, the film could have been as impactful as its supposed intent if it wasn't for the dramatic dialogue and performances, which seem more forced than believable. The textbookish approach, as if educating the viewers, makes it fall flat, and renders the overall experience rather boring. On top of that, the filmmaker has crammed too much information into the film—from the French Revolution and the abolition of slavery in America to the 1857 mutiny and bubonic plague— that it starts feeling like the content page of a history textbook. Even the background score and songs don't add much to the overall storytelling.

Coming to performances, a solid performance is always expected from Gandhi, and he delivers for the most part. However, the script fails him as his character doesn't seem to have been fleshed out well. For example, one never understands his motives, why he thinks the way he does, and what makes him so resilient. This is despite that much is available on Jyotiba in the public domain. Savitribai's character is written better, which renders her story, starting as a child bride to a teacher and then a social reformer and someone who is always on her husband's side, more powerful. Patralekhaa brings that honesty to the character and delivers a brilliant performance.

However, the film, in the end, feels like a caricature of the Phules, which is a pity since their story is one that needs to be told. Where it shines is its portrayal of how caste and patriarchy have remained major shackles of Indian society.

In one of the most poignant scenes, a much older Jyotiba, a few days before his death, stares at the sky and asks if God would open his door for the lower caste people, as temples had remained out of their bounds. It's a strong statement, only if the overall uninspiring film had done justice to this strong premise.

Film: Phule

Directed by: Ananth Mahadevan

Starring: Pratik Gandhi, Patralekha, Vinay Pathak

Rating: 2.5/5

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