Showing posts with label Phule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phule. Show all posts
Silence between Paresh Rawal and Aditya Rawal's characters in Pastt Tense is explosive-Ananth Mahadevan
9:22 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 2, 2026)
The joy of seeing one’s film travel to an international festival never fades, regardless of how long one has been in the industry. Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan affirmed that when mid-day caught up with him to discuss Pastt Tense, his upcoming feature that is set to have its world première at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
“Once I started doing films like Red Alert: The War Within [2010], Staying Alive [2012], Gour Hari Dastaan [2015], all my films right up to Phule [2025] have been featured at international festivals. So now if it doesn’t feature, I would be disappointed. But then, I wouldn’t make a film that is not considered for global standards,” he said.
A newspaper report sparked the idea for Pastt Tense. While the core story of a son searching for the biological mother who abandoned him at birth came from the report, the filmmaker said “everything else I developed on my own”.
Making an intense drama right after a socially relevant biopic like Phule marks a departure, but Mahadevan said the decision was intentional because he doesn’t like repeating himself. “I want to surprise myself first. It has nothing to do with the audience because [they] would probably lap it up. But my conscience will not allow it. I am the most stringent and uncompromising with myself. So, that’s why [after] Phule, I shifted to Pastt Tense which is a complex film about social guilt and conscience. I felt I could dig deeper into the human psyche.”
On shooting with the Rawals
“The silence between their characters is explosive. Both have different approaches. Paresh Rawal is hungry for roles that would challenge him. There was a burst of spontaneity in him that surprised me. Aditya’s eyes speak a lot. But the seriousness with which the father and son approach their roles and study their parts is similar.”
A government-sponsored festival like IFFI sidelined Phule-Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
10:17 AM
Angry that his film Phule was not considered for the International Film Festival of India, director Ananth Mahadevan claims the biopic was snubbed in the Oscar race and has been ‘silently boycotted’
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 20, 2025)
Having one’s movie screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is a matter of pride and joy. Filmmaker Ananth Narayan Mahadevan had hoped to experience it with Phule, his biopic on social reformer Jyotirao Phule. But as the upcoming film festival unveiled its schedule, the director is disheartened that his Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer has not made the cut.
“I feel angry, pained, and helpless. A government-sponsored festival like IFFI sidelined Phule, despite it being an honest film with credible actors,” he tells mid-day.
The movie, released on April 25, chronicled how the social reformer and his wife Savitribai fought casteism and championed women’s education in the 19th century. What stings Mahadevan further is that Homebound, which explores casteism prevalent in the country today, has been selected as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards 2026 while his casteism drama has been “silently boycotted”.
“Phule was not selected for the Oscars either. This is the original caste revolution that happened in India. I haven’t seen Homebound, but I know it’s about caste differences today. When you have cinema of a scale like that of Phule, including solid performances and the relevance of [its subject] to contemporary times, it [being overlooked] is sad. I feel some kind of silent boycott is happening. If it was a bad film, I’d understand. But considering the kind of films that have been selected at IFFI, it’s disheartening. There are 26 films in the Indian Panorama section. Are you saying it does not deserve a chance among 26 movies?”
During the Independence Day celebrations this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government will mark Phule’s 200th birth anniversary in 2027 with special events. Pleased as he is that the social reformer’s contributions continue to reverberate in society even today, the director is saddened that his big-screen story didn’t get as much support.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the bicentenary, but not once when the film was released. He could have supported it by making it tax-free. Not a single state government gave Phule a tax-free status. The producers had applied for it and were promised, but it didn’t come true.”
We keep saying art has no barriers; the audience just proved it-Pratik Gandhi
10:55 AM
Pratik Gandhi at Aga Khan Palace (Pic: Jignesh Mistry)
Mihir Bhanage (BOMBAY TIMES; August 7, 2025)
Apart from getting the country vibing to a banger opening theme, Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992 also gave the audience an actor to look forward to – Pratik Gandhi. With a body of work that spans Gujarati films, Hindi plays, OTT shows and movies, Pratik has become a name to reckon with, more so in the last two years with projects like Do Aur Do Pyaar, Agni, Madgaon Express, Dhoom Dhaam and Phule. In a chat with us, the actor speaks about his love for theatre, his takeaway from the Phule controversy and why the struggle of Bollywood films is more complex than it looks. Excerpts:
‘No film institute can give you what theatre does’
“Theatre is an actor’s gym,” says Pratik, who was in the city to stage Mohan Ka Masala, in which he played the role of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. “It is a place where you can work on different prototypes. When you perform in a play, you go through the same story and emotions multiple times. I live that character more than once and it gives me the chance to rehearse my craft,” says the actor.
Highlighting that tools and theoretical knowledge are of no use if you can’t implement them, Pratik adds, “Film institutes can teach you about the tools you can use as an actor, or about the theory part of the profession, but theatre gives you a platform to implement that knowledge practically. That’s something no other place can give you.”
‘The audience has evolved multifold; makers are taking time’
Bollywood has been trying to figure out what really clicks with the audience post the pandemic. While experts try to decipher that, Pratik shares a different take on why the industry is struggling. “It’s a very complex thing. You can’t look at the problem from just one lens – of content, marketing, etc,” says the actor, adding, “I feel that for the longest time, filmmakers and the audience were evolving together, almost in sync with each other. But during the pandemic the exposure to global content happened and the audience suddenly evolved multifold. Makers, on the other hand, could not evolve that fast and that created a huge gap which we are all trying to fill up. It’s happening, but it will take some time.”
Pratik also feels that the audience’s evolution was unprecedented. “Earlier, India was looked at as a less English-speaking market and makers would be told to dumb stories down. Now, people are watching Korean and Spanish shows. Someone sitting in a remote area is watching an English show on their phone. This was something no one predicted. We keep saying art has no barriers. The audience just proved it.”
Another enemy everyone is fighting nowadays is the overuse of data in filmmaking. If you are creating a film or show on the basis of data interpretation, then you don’t need human brains to work in this industry
‘Nobody has the time to process anything today’
A few months ago, Phule, which featured Pratik and Patralekhaa as Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, respectively, had a brush with controversy after certain groups opposed the film’s release. While the film did get a stamp of approval from critics and viewers after it released, Pratik says he wasn’t surprised with what happened.
“The world has become impatient. We want to react and jump the gun before watching or understanding anything,” he says, adding, “In the chaotic world of social media and hyperconnectivity, nobody has the time to process anything. I keep giving this example to people that in the Doordarshan days, news anchors would read the news to you, without added emotion or a specific tone. This was so you could interpret the news the way you wanted to, without being biased. Now, news is interpreted and given to you. You are not supposed to use your brain. Looking at everything, I was not surprised by the people’s reaction to Phule. I faced the same issues during Bhavai (2021). What people think and what can offend them, that’s something nobody can gauge.”
On the relevance of Phule and Gandhi in today’s times...
Having played Mahatma Phule on screen and Mahatma Gandhi on stage, Pratik says that so many things from these legendary figures’ lives are relevant even today. “We hear about discrimination, wars and people justifying violence in different ways every day. These are things that these prominent figures in Indian history fought against. I think they were visionaries because they could visualize that the world would need guiding thoughts in difficult times even if they weren’t around. That makes them significant even today,” he says.
Speaking about his play Mohan Ka Masala, Pratik adds, “We tend to think that Gandhiji was born with qualities of a Mahatma but it’s not like that. He was a common man like any of us who made mistakes and learnt from them. The message you can take away from the play is that everyone has been given qualities to become a Mahatma. It is the choices you make that define your journey.”
On six-pack abs and a possible Madgaon Express reunion
In his next OTT show, Saare Jahan Se Accha, Pratik plays a spy. Speaking about the same, he says, “We’ve often seen spies as these super-special, heroic people who can do anything. That’s not the case in real life and we have tried to show that with our next. Spies six-packs wale thodi hote hai!”
On the topic of six-pack abs, we ask him about his shirtless act in Dhoom Dhaam and whether he would do it again. Pratik laughs and shares, “I don’t mind at all! I have always looked like that. Just that I had never taken my shirt off on screen before Dhoom Dhaam.”
On a concluding note, we ask the actor if he and the team are open to a Madgaon Express sequel. To that, Pratik says, “The whole team is super excited to do it again. We are all just waiting for Kunal (Kemmu) to come up with an idea. It was a crazy, mad film.”
I find politicizing a film morbid-Vinay Pathak
10:40 AM
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 22, 2025)
Actor Vinay Pathak minces no words when it comes to sharing his thoughts on political controversies that engulf films. Citing his own film Phule, which stars Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, Vinay criticises those who stir outrage without even watching the movie.
“I find politicizing a film morbid. If you don’t like it, you don’t go. (But) the majority of the people who are criticizing a film haven’t seen it, I can guarantee you that. It is one of the bad practices of people,” the actor tells us.
Phule, a biopic on social reformers Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule, featured Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa in the lead roles. The film faced initial delays due to Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) reported objections over the caste references, which pushing its release from April 11 to April 25. Recently, Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life also faced political heat.
“A very small film (Phule) got blown out of proportion for no reason. But when it released, people loved it. Good content, good storytelling, and good cinema stay,” he adds.
At 56, Vinay believes that he has learnt to navigate digital controversies and online trolls. “I think I’ve cracked it!” he triumphantly says, adding, “It’s not that trolls are the new monsters. There have always been people who won’t like your work, and they will make sure that you hear about it. But I just take everything with a pinch of salt. So, I would say that rather than being emotional about it, be intelligent about it.”
Pratik Gandhi on Bollywood's box office lull: "It’s a cyclic thing that will keep happening"
8:48 AM
Pratik Gandhi isn’t perturbed about Hindi releases failing to rake in big numbers, as he saw it coming
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 28, 2025)
The Hindi film industry is struggling to rake in the moolah at the box office, and actor Pratik Gandhi, whose recent release, Phule, too faced a similar challenge, sees it as an imminent phase. “Any industry will come to that flash point once, where innovation will happen and things will change for good. It will settle down and will again go up to that flash point. So, it’s a cyclic thing that will keep happening,” he says.
The actor prefers to look at the positive side of it though, crediting the presence of different mediums and kinds of work.
“It is a good time to be an artiste, as there are so many avenues. Even if you have a story for a short film, you have an audience for that, because there is a platform to showcase it. Earlier, it used to be a problem, as you didn’t have a medium to show it. Now you have such opportunities. So, it is a great time to be an artiste, a writer, director or anybody,” he says.
However, Pratik acknowledges that while getting work might not be difficult, the main challenge lies in bagging big, commercial Bollywood outings.
“It is very difficult to breakthrough in the mainstream industry. It’s highly competitive, as there are so many actors. Apart from that, it’s very difficult for anyone coming from out of the industry, who doesn’t know anybody. You don’t know whom to approach, who to meet or ask for work. You don’t even know where to go and give an audition,” he says.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 880
10:51 PM
WILL RAID 2 MANAGE TO CROSS THE RS. 100 CRORE MARK?
Last week wasn’t great as expected, in terms of box office. Ground Zero will not reach Rs. 10 crores while Phule will barely cross the Rs. 1 crore mark. However, Kesari Chapter 2 continued to be rock steady while Jaat also did well. And now all eyes are on the big release of the coming week, Raid 2.
As the name suggests, it is a sequel to Raid. This time, the protagonist, played by Ajay Devgn, will face Riteish Deshmukh. Vaani Kapoor is the female lead and she replaces Ileana DCruz. The trailer has been well-received and there’s a perception that here’s a film which will be something to watch out for. The song ‘Nasha’ featuring Tamannaah Bhatia has grabbed eyeballs and further added to the buzz.
The earlier part opened at Rs. 9.45 crores and ended up collecting Rs. 98.02 crores in its lifetime. Raid 2 releases on a Thursday to take advantage of the holidays in Maharashtra and Gujarat and a partial holiday in the rest of the country due to International Labour Day. The advance is decent and it can have an opening of Rs. 10 crores. If all goes well, it can even cross the Rs. 15 crore mark, but this will depend on the jump the film takes from noon onwards. The collections will dip as Friday is a normal working day. But the footfalls will see another jump on Saturday and Sunday. At this rate, the film will cross the Rs. 50 crore mark in its four-day weekend. Once that happens, entering the Rs. 100 crore mark shouldn’t be a problem, considering the limited competition from Hindi films until June 6.
The other release of the week is The Bhootnii. It is a horror comedy starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Sunny Singh and Palak Tiwari. The trailer hasn’t been appreciated and even the songs haven’t worked. The film has got a limited release, as a result. It’ll have some advantage tomorrow due to the holiday and genre.
However, a film that might spring a surprise is Thunderbolts. It belongs to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and this franchise hasn’t had a great run off late. But this film has generated a lot of excitement. The advances are decent and it can have an opening of Rs. 5-6 crores or even more. The target should be to cross the first-day earnings of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3. It earned Rs. 6.68 crores and like Thunderbolts, it was also critically acclaimed. That film managed to cross the Rs. 50 crores mark and that should also be the target of Thunderbolts.
Last week wasn’t great as expected, in terms of box office. Ground Zero will not reach Rs. 10 crores while Phule will barely cross the Rs. 1 crore mark. However, Kesari Chapter 2 continued to be rock steady while Jaat also did well. And now all eyes are on the big release of the coming week, Raid 2.
As the name suggests, it is a sequel to Raid. This time, the protagonist, played by Ajay Devgn, will face Riteish Deshmukh. Vaani Kapoor is the female lead and she replaces Ileana DCruz. The trailer has been well-received and there’s a perception that here’s a film which will be something to watch out for. The song ‘Nasha’ featuring Tamannaah Bhatia has grabbed eyeballs and further added to the buzz.
The earlier part opened at Rs. 9.45 crores and ended up collecting Rs. 98.02 crores in its lifetime. Raid 2 releases on a Thursday to take advantage of the holidays in Maharashtra and Gujarat and a partial holiday in the rest of the country due to International Labour Day. The advance is decent and it can have an opening of Rs. 10 crores. If all goes well, it can even cross the Rs. 15 crore mark, but this will depend on the jump the film takes from noon onwards. The collections will dip as Friday is a normal working day. But the footfalls will see another jump on Saturday and Sunday. At this rate, the film will cross the Rs. 50 crore mark in its four-day weekend. Once that happens, entering the Rs. 100 crore mark shouldn’t be a problem, considering the limited competition from Hindi films until June 6.
The other release of the week is The Bhootnii. It is a horror comedy starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Sunny Singh and Palak Tiwari. The trailer hasn’t been appreciated and even the songs haven’t worked. The film has got a limited release, as a result. It’ll have some advantage tomorrow due to the holiday and genre.
However, a film that might spring a surprise is Thunderbolts. It belongs to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and this franchise hasn’t had a great run off late. But this film has generated a lot of excitement. The advances are decent and it can have an opening of Rs. 5-6 crores or even more. The target should be to cross the first-day earnings of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3. It earned Rs. 6.68 crores and like Thunderbolts, it was also critically acclaimed. That film managed to cross the Rs. 50 crores mark and that should also be the target of Thunderbolts.
(Crisp) Movie Review: PHULE by FENIL SETA
11:38 PM
Phule tells the story of a legendary social revolutionary and his equally legendary wife. The film educates viewers about their life and their struggles and watching it unfold is fascinating. On the flipside, the writing is weak while the direction is lacklustre. One doesn't get charged up or get a high though some scenes could have had that impact. The episodic approach is also not a good idea. The makers jump from one incident to another, without allowing viewers to process it. Nevertheless, Pratik Gandhi is excellent and the way he subtly changes his body language is seen to be believed. Patralekhaa makes her presence felt and plays a difficult role with ease. Jayesh More (Usman) and Akshaya Gurav (Fatima) are adorable. Darsheel Safary (Yashwant) is horribly wasted. Vinay Pathak (Govindrao Phule), Joy Sengupta (Vinayak), Alexx O'Nell (Ribbs Jones) and Sara (Cynthia Farar) do well. All in all, Phule is a well-intentioned flick but suffers due to weak direction.
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
Pahalgam attack: Boycott calls for Abir Gulaal grows
11:02 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 24, 2025)
Screening of Phule cancelled
A special screening of Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer Phule, scheduled for Wednesday in Delhi with Maharashtra state minister Ramdas Athawale in attendance, was cancelled. Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan condemned the act on X: “In the wake of this horrific terror attack, our hearts are with the victims and families. We stand united in our commitment to peace, resilience, and humanity. Violence will never silence the voice of compassion or break the strength of a country that stands together as we mourn.” The upcoming film is based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule.
Boycott calls for Abir Gulaal
Upcoming film Abir Gulaal has already courted controversy over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. In the wake of the attack, boycott calls for the film, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, began trending on X.
Ashoke Pandit, president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), tells us, “We as a federation have requested with folded hands to not encourage Pakistanis. They come up with bulls***t reasons like artiste, community... People think, ‘Agar mere ghar ka aadmi nahin mara toh f**k it, I don’t care’. (But) if this film’s heroine or makers’ family members had been shot by the terrorists, they won’t have worked (with Fawad)... Ultimately, it is nation first.”
Ashoke is also critical of cricketers playing matches with Pakistan in Dubai, like the Champion’s Trophy match earlier this year: “Woh bandook se maar rahe hain, aur hum bat ball ke saath khel rahe hain unke saath. Things have reached a saturation point. Public naraaz hai, aur baahar nikalke maaregi cricketers, artistes, aur singers ko. We will issue an order that anyone who works with a Pakistani artiste will be boycotted by the industry.”
Birendra Nath Tiwari, president of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), makes it clear, “We will not let Abir Gulaal release in India. Action will be taken against the makers.”
I wasn’t surprised by the possibility of some form of reaction over Phule-Pratik Gandhi
11:00 AM
Disappointed with the delay in Phule’s release, Pratik Gandhi asserts the 19th century social activist’s fight remains relevant in today’s world of ‘prejudice’
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 24, 2025)
Two weeks ago, Pratik Gandhi was at the same point where he is today, on the cusp of a movie’s release. Unfortunately, Phule—a biopic on Mahatma Jyotirao Phule—didn’t hit the theatres then as some sections of the Brahmin community opposed the film, believing it showed them in poor light. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded certain changes, too. Today, as the Ananth Narayan Mahadevan-directed venture lines up for an April 25 release, the leading man says the resistance didn’t surprise him.
“Given the sensitive nature of the subject and the current climate, I wasn’t entirely surprised by the possibility of some form of reaction,” he smiles sardonically, before adding, “When you’re dealing with historical figures and social issues that are still relevant and sometimes contentious, different perspectives are bound to arise. Our intention was never to create unnecessary controversy, but to tell an honest and factual story. We approached it with a sense of responsibility.”
Phule, also starring Patralekhaa, chronicles how the 19th century social reformer and his wife Savitribai Phule fought against the rampant casteism and championed women’s education. Gandhi admits that the deferral of its April 11 release disappointed him.
“We were aiming to coincide it with Jyotirao Phule’s 197th birth anniversary. That was a way to honour his legacy. So, the postponement, due to a combination of certification changes and the initial reactions, was a setback. However, my primary concern was always that the film’s message should reach people effectively.”
Even as two centuries separate the social reformer and us, the actor believes that his ideas depicted in the film have “immense” relevance today.
“While the film is set in the 19th century, the core issues it addresses—caste discrimination, the fight for equal rights, and the importance of education—are still very much alive in our society. Phule’s emphasis on reason, questioning social norms, and striving for a more egalitarian society continues to be relevant in a world divided by prejudice and misinformation,” he states.
As we continue to fight different forms of social ills, is there a social reform he’d like to see today? “The eradication of all forms of discrimination, whether based on caste, religion, gender, or any other social marker,” Gandhi says, in a heartbeat.
“We’ve made progress, but the subtle and sometimes blatant ways in which discrimination still operates in our society is concerning. I believe in fostering an equitable society, where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 879
10:44 AM
KESARI CHAPTER 2 TRENDS WELL; JAAT SUSTAINS; WILL GROUND ZERO MAKE A MARK?
The last two major releases of Bollywood are not huge Rs. 100 crore grossers. But at the same time, they have been steady at the box office.
Kesari Chapter 2, as expected, opened at Rs. 7.50 crores. The opening was a bit below par, as it was a Good Friday holiday. Usually, the day after Saturday doesn’t see a huge jump. But Kesari Chapter 2 took a while to make noise. Hence, it jumped to Rs. 10 crores on Saturday and Rs. 11.50 crores on Sunday. On Monday, it collected Rs. 4.35 crores. With the cheap ticket offer on Tuesday, the earnings jumped to Rs. 4.85 crores.
Kesari Chapter 2 will collect around Rs. 45 crores in its first week. The target of the film will be to collect Rs. 80-90 crores in its lifetime. The cost, however, is too high. On the plus side, it is the best-performing film of Akshay Kumar in a very long time. The actor suffered a lull but he’s now all set to bounce back with a bang as his upcoming films also seem exciting.
Jaat collected Rs. 59.60 crores in Week 1 and its second-week performance is a bit below expectations. Until Tuesday, it collected Rs. 15.50 crores in the second week. It should have ideally collected Rs. 20 crores. But though Kesari Chapter 2 targets a different set of audiences, the Sunny Deol starrer was affected by the presence of a new release.
Jaat has collected Rs. 75.10 crores until Tuesday and it’ll collect Rs. 78 crores by the end of the second week. It’ll be interesting to see which film manages to earn more out of the two – Kesari Chapter 2 or Jaat.
This week’s big release is Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi. It is inspired by real-life accounts of a man who eliminated the terrorist who was responsible for the 2001 Parliament Attack. The film is majorly set in Kashmir. In fact, the timing is significant as it releases three days after the shocking attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
The buzz for Ground Zero is very limited and hence, an opening of Rs. 1-2 crores is expected. If word of mouth is positive, it can see a huge jump, which will ultimately benefit the film in the long run.
The other major release of the week is Phule. It stars Pratik Gandhi as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule. The film has been in the news after the Censor Board deleted certain words. A large section of netizens found it unjustified and it led to a lot of brouhaha.
Sadly, though this controversy has enhanced the awareness of the film, it hasn’t excited the audience to book tickets. Hence, the first-day numbers will be dismal.
Lastly, Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins will premiere on Netflix. It is sure to grab eyeballs due to its mass appeal and casting – Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta and Kunal Kapoor.
The last two major releases of Bollywood are not huge Rs. 100 crore grossers. But at the same time, they have been steady at the box office.
Kesari Chapter 2, as expected, opened at Rs. 7.50 crores. The opening was a bit below par, as it was a Good Friday holiday. Usually, the day after Saturday doesn’t see a huge jump. But Kesari Chapter 2 took a while to make noise. Hence, it jumped to Rs. 10 crores on Saturday and Rs. 11.50 crores on Sunday. On Monday, it collected Rs. 4.35 crores. With the cheap ticket offer on Tuesday, the earnings jumped to Rs. 4.85 crores.
Kesari Chapter 2 will collect around Rs. 45 crores in its first week. The target of the film will be to collect Rs. 80-90 crores in its lifetime. The cost, however, is too high. On the plus side, it is the best-performing film of Akshay Kumar in a very long time. The actor suffered a lull but he’s now all set to bounce back with a bang as his upcoming films also seem exciting.
Jaat collected Rs. 59.60 crores in Week 1 and its second-week performance is a bit below expectations. Until Tuesday, it collected Rs. 15.50 crores in the second week. It should have ideally collected Rs. 20 crores. But though Kesari Chapter 2 targets a different set of audiences, the Sunny Deol starrer was affected by the presence of a new release.
Jaat has collected Rs. 75.10 crores until Tuesday and it’ll collect Rs. 78 crores by the end of the second week. It’ll be interesting to see which film manages to earn more out of the two – Kesari Chapter 2 or Jaat.
This week’s big release is Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi. It is inspired by real-life accounts of a man who eliminated the terrorist who was responsible for the 2001 Parliament Attack. The film is majorly set in Kashmir. In fact, the timing is significant as it releases three days after the shocking attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
The buzz for Ground Zero is very limited and hence, an opening of Rs. 1-2 crores is expected. If word of mouth is positive, it can see a huge jump, which will ultimately benefit the film in the long run.
The other major release of the week is Phule. It stars Pratik Gandhi as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule. The film has been in the news after the Censor Board deleted certain words. A large section of netizens found it unjustified and it led to a lot of brouhaha.
Sadly, though this controversy has enhanced the awareness of the film, it hasn’t excited the audience to book tickets. Hence, the first-day numbers will be dismal.
Lastly, Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins will premiere on Netflix. It is sure to grab eyeballs due to its mass appeal and casting – Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta and Kunal Kapoor.
As a filmmaker, I would not like my film to be touched-Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
10:16 AM
Mihir Bhanage (BOMBAY TIMES; April 19, 2025)
Anurag Kashyap’s post about the CBFC’s alleged approach to films about the caste system in India added fuel to the already raging fire around the release of Phule, a film based on the life of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. While the CBFC granted Phule a ‘U’ certificate on April 7, it had asked for certain edits, including the removal of references like ‘Mahar’, ‘Mang’, ‘Peshwai’, and a modification of the phrase “3,000 saal purani ghulami” to “kai saal purani ghulami.” But did CBFC suggest any cuts in the film?
“No, just these tweaks,” filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan tells us, adding that the suggestions were implemented. In a chat with us, the filmmaker addresses the controversy and speaks about the role of censorship in filmmaking.
Phule was certified with a 'U' rating but after the trailer was released, controversy erupted. You said the CBFC suggested changes. Were there any cuts suggested as well?
Fortunately, there were no cuts suggested by the CBFC. The so-called amendments, or tweaks as I call them, were inconsequential. Even if those weren’t implemented, it wouldn’t have made a difference. I guess we’re all becoming a little over-sensitive and want to soften things. But the audience is knowledgeable. Even if you remove certain words or modify phrases, they’ll understand it. I think some people watched the trailer and jumped the gun. They concluded that the film is against a particular community. It's not. Yes, there are conflicts, but the beauty of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule’s life is the harmony and interaction they had with all communities.
Would you call these suggested tweaks fair?
I am quite amused at these things, because it was not something so major to be labelled fair or unfair. As a filmmaker, I would not like my film to be touched, and that too with such insignificant and innocuous changes. I don’t understand why we are so nervous about how people will react, or how sensitive they are. I think we should respect the sensibilities and the sensitivities of the audience. This film does not exaggerate or fictionalize history. It does not even interpret history. All it does is represent history. When you're so honest about a particular subject or with the people while making the film, you should also respect the intelligence of the audience.
Have these changes hampered the flow of the film, or dissemination of history in any way, considering your stand that the film is based on facts and history?
Fortunately, all this hasn’t reduced the impact of the film. It still conveys everything it has to without hiding or making anything subdued. That said, the original word always is stronger than a synonym or alternative for it. And I would always prefer the stronger words to convey what I want to.
There’s been a lot of support for the film from cinephiles as well as filmmakers, including Anurag Kashyap who highlighted the CBFC’s alleged bias in a post on social media. Your thoughts about this.
Yes, there’s been a lot of support, even from political parties, saying the film should be shown in its entirety. I think that’s encouraging and positive. There will always be disgruntled voices but that has been virtually eclipsed by this unanimous support.
You deferred the release of the film by a couple of weeks for ‘things to settle down’. How did that affect you and the team?
The only thing that I felt a little upset about was that we wanted to release it on April 11, which was Jyotiba’s birth anniversary. That would have gone down in history for posterity. But we had to sacrifice that for the betterment of the film and to help it reach the maximum number of people. It was necessary to address these concerns of those who had an objection. So, we took that little time for things to calm down.
Do you think there's a solution to this issue of people jumping the gun without looking at the full picture?
I don't think so. Not even in the future, because we are an immature society. This comes forth either through some unnecessary prejudices or provocations or whatever, but we do not seem to have progressed. In fact, we seem to have regressed in many ways, despite many things that Jyotiba and Savitribai fought for, like women’s education and independence, being achieved. But caste discrimination and gender discrimination continue to plague our society. These issues are not going to be solved so easily. So, the revolution continues. We are still so self-centered and materialistic. Technological advancements do not cover up your social regressions. What about conscience? What about social relevance?
Given the current state of cinema in the country, do you think it is difficult to make a film that highlights reality or history?
See, if you're an honest filmmaker, if you're a socially relevant filmmaker, and if you are a responsible filmmaker, you will not harbour any fears of how society is going to react or what impact it's going to have on minds. For me, it is very important to not let these things bother me. I delve into a subject, treat it the way it deserves to be treated - with honesty and with the passion that I always had, and then leave the rest to the audience. My duty is to make that film the way it should be made.
The CBFC is often referred to as the censor board, but it’s the Central Board of Film Certification. There’s a difference between censorship and certification that many aren’t aware of.
Yes, certification happens abroad where films are certified as per their content – universal, with parental guidance, restricted viewing and strictly for adults etc. In India, we did try to amend the process, but the problem is that with the certification, we retained the censorship too. I agree that there should be self-censorship while making a film and there is a cinematic language that one must use for that. I do it too. But by suggesting cuts in a film, you are just defeating the very purpose of certification. Then you might as well call yourself a censor board and not a board of film certification.
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The lines in the trailer were taken out of context: Pratik Gandhi
In a recent interview to PTI, Pratik Gandhi who plays the title role of Jyotirao Phule in Phule, expressed his disappointment over the film’s postponement and the controversy around it. “I was shooting somewhere when I came to know that it (the film) is pushed by two weeks. I was disheartened immediately. But then I spoke to them (makers) and I got to know the reasons... These are the reasons over which you don’t have any control,” he said.
Talking about the controversy around the film and the push back from the Brahmin community, Gandhi said, “There was a sudden (uproar by a) set of people who felt that it was against them or their ideology... I was surprised by the reaction, but I can also understand where they are coming from. I’m just requesting them to watch the film and then make their opinion because whatever they have seen is just a trailer. So what you have seen right now are lines that are out of context,” he said.
Phule director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan clarifies CBFC made suggestions, not cuts
8:43 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 13, 2025)
Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan clarified that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) suggested amendments, not cuts, for Phule. “They had suggested some amendments, I wouldn’t call it cuts. I want to clarify that there are no cuts as such,” he told PTI. He also added that the film’s release was delayed due to protests from the Brahmin community, not the CBFC’s suggestions.
Ananth also addressed the controversy: “The Brahmins got carried away by a two-minute trailer,” stressing there was nothing objectionable in the film. He explained that the protests led the producers to push the release date to April 25 to clear the air. “We did not want to lose out on the audience... Let’s postpone it for two more weeks and clear all the controversies.”
The biopic, starring Pratik Gandhi as Jyotirao Phule and Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule (anti-caste social reformers), was initially set to release this Friday. The CBFC had issued a ‘U’ certificate on April 7, with minor changes, including removing certain terms and altering visuals. After the trailer’s release on April 10, the Brahmin community raised objections, claiming a poor portrayal, with Maharashtra’s Hindu Mahasangh president Anand Dave expressing his displeasure.
CBFC clears Akshay Kumar's historical drama Kesari Chapter 2 with no cuts and 'A' certificate
9:01 AM
While the CBFC hands out several cuts to Phule, historical drama Kesari: Chapter 2 cleared with an ‘A’ certificate and no cuts
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 11, 2025)
Recently, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted a ‘U’ certificate to Ananth Narayan Mahadevan’s Phule after instructing that several caste references be removed. While the Prasoon Joshi-led board has come down hard on one chapter of history, it has cleared Akshay Kumar’s historical drama Kesari Chapter 2 with no cuts. Insiders tell mid-day that it has been given an ‘A’ certificate, with director Karan Singh Tyagi asked to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Animal Welfare Board for certain sequences.
The film, also starring R Madhavan and Ananya Panday, chronicles the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre as Kumar’s character C Sankaran Nair fights for justice.
An industry insider says, “The CBFC’s current approach is haphazard. Kesari Chapter 2 is a historical drama, so was Chhaava, but both carry separate certifications. If the gore in Kesari is the reason for its ‘A’ certificate, Chhaava’s last half-hour was gory too. That said, one can argue that the makers of Kesari provided historical proof of everything shown in the film.”
Another source notes that it’s a relief that the historical drama has been cleared without any cuts. “The CBFC has become strict when it comes to films dealing with caste, religion, or political themes. Thankfully, with Kesari, they haven’t asked for any narrative changes,” says the source.
The CBFC’s snip-happy attitude has come sharply in focus again because of Phule, starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa. The biopic of social reformer Jyotirao Phule, who fought casteism, has been handed out many cuts. “The board has sought removal of terms ‘Mahar’, ‘Mang’ and ‘Peshwai’. In subtitles, the term ‘caste’ has been replaced with ‘varna’. The term ‘shudra’ has been removed as well,” says a source.
The board’s scrutiny was just as severe with the recent Marathi-Kannada film, Follower. The source adds, “The makers had to remove mentions of political parties and visuals of political flags.”
Ananth Mahadevan pushes Phule's release after objection: "It is not an agenda film"
9:53 AM
Director Ananth Mahadevan delays April 11 release of social reformer’s biopic after Brahmin organisations raise questions over their depiction; asserts it shows them in a good light
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 8, 2025)
Coinciding with Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s birth anniversary on April 11, director Ananth Mahadevan’s film, Phule, was set to arrive in theatres this week. But not anymore. The makers have decided to push the Pratik Gandhi-starrer’s release by two weeks, after sections of the Brahmin community have raised doubts over their representation in the film.
“Many letters and notices have come from different Brahmin organizations. There is some misunderstanding after the trailer was launched. We want to clear those doubts so that there is no hassle in viewership,” shares the director.
The biopic, written by Mahadevan and Muazzam Beg, traces how the social reformer and his wife Savitribai Phule fought casteism and championed women’s education in the 19th century. Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj and Parshuram Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal are among the organisations that have expressed their concern over the film.
“When I met the representatives [of the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj] and told them about how we’ve shown that [certain] Brahmins helped Jyotiba Phule set up 20 schools, they were happy. When Phule opened the Satyashodhak Samaj, these Brahmins were the pillars. I’m a staunch Brahmin. Why will I [malign] my community? We have only shown the facts. It’s not an agenda film,” states the director.
Does he intend to show Phule to these sections before its release? That’s a hard no for Mahadevan. “It’ll look as if we are justifying the film. You justify something if you’re guilty. They can see the film when it releases. The CBFC [Central Board of Film Certification] gave it a U certificate.”
I am told 'You have done well, but on OTT'-Pratik Gandhi
8:37 AM
Ready with two biopics, Gandhi and Phule, Pratik Gandhi on how he is often rejected by producers for big-screen offerings despite having delivered successes
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 24, 2025)
Stepping into the shoes of a revolutionary for a biopic can be exhilarating as well as daunting. For Pratik Gandhi, it’s doubly so, as he will be seen essaying two leaders—Mahatma Gandhi in Hansal Mehta’s web series, Gandhi, and Jyotirao Phule in Ananth Mahadevan’s Phule—soon. As he offers a retelling of Gandhi leading India’s freedom fight against the British, and Phule’s anti-caste movement, Pratik highlights that the two social leaders had a similar starting point.
“The one thing common between them is that before they did what they did, they were like us. My journey to create these two characters starts when they weren’t Mahatmas. So, I have explored them as humans, with their passion, zest, and that fire from within,” shares the actor.
Besides the two releases, the year ahead looks creatively exciting for Pratik, who has three films and a new play in the pipeline. Since breaking out in Hindi entertainment with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020), he has steadily become among the most talented and reliable actors of the current crop. But the actor reveals that even today, he faces rejections.
“When discussing their next theatrical film, the [makers] tell me, ‘We need an actor who can get the audience to the theatres. You have done very well, but on OTT.’ So, the onus is on me to prove myself in yet another medium,” he says. This comes even after he delivered a theatrical hit in Madgaon Express last year. “But the fact that I have to mention my success says a lot. If I have to blow my own trumpet, what sense does it make?”
It could make one bitter, but not Pratik. The actor admits that years of rejection, before he found success, have prepared him for such curveballs.
He reflects, “If success had come in the first attempt itself, it might have been difficult to be realistic. But rejections have prepared me for fame and handling success. They have also prepared me to stay away from negativity and think differently, where I take the onus of everything. [I think that] I haven’t given the other person enough reasons to cast me. So, I want to excel to a level that even without any leverage, people would want to work with me.”
The Mahatmas and me
While Mahatma Gandhi led India’s freedom fight against the British, Jyotirao Phule fought the rampant casteism in India. Despite their different causes, Pratik Gandhi notes that both leaders, in their own way, believed in the philosophy of non-violence.
“Gandhi’s circumstances and motives were incidental. Phule was victimized because of casteism and took a stand through education. He believed that people could only fight with education. So, in a way, he, [like Gandhi], promoted ahimsa; he might not have called it that,” he states.
Many Hindi films have opted against a theatrical release in the next two-three months
8:22 AM
Many Hindi films have opted against a theatrical release in the next two-three months, we find out why
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 19, 2025)
Amid a flurry of OTT releases, a film releasing in theatres is a big deal in itself these days. It is almost a gamble, given how picky audiences are about a theatrical watch. One look at the 2025 calendar of releases, and you will realize that the next three months seem to be a rough patch for the industry. Among others, the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) is said to be one of the reasons for the lean patch.
Looking at April alone, many releases have been shifted. The Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi-starrer Jolly LLB 3 will now hit the screens in August. Filmmaker Karan Johar’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, starring Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor and Sanya Malhotra, will now hit the screens on September 12 instead of April 18. A source tells us that while the shoot started later than intended, businessman Adar Poonawalla buying 50% stake in KJo’s Dharma Productions also added to the delay.
Metro... In Dino was originally set to come out on November 29 last year, but it got pushed to July 4. Sharing why the film wasn’t slated for a summer release, a source close to the project informs us: “We wanted a desired window looking at the other releases. So, we settled on July 4.”
Of course, the trade is not happy with the lean patch. Expert Atul Mohan says, “Every month sees one or two big releases, but small filmmakers don’t prefer to release their films in theatres when the IPL is on. So, they push their dates by a month or two.”
Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, director of Phule, isn’t perturbed by the IPL or other films releasing alongside: “April 10 is the 197th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. So, how can we miss out on that date? There won’t be any point otherwise.”
Films set to hit the screens this summer
April currently has four theatrical releases that are likely to hit the screens as scheduled — Jaat and Bhool Chuk Maaf on April 10, Phule on April 11 and The Bhootnii on April 18. May has two releases — Raid 2 and Kesari Veer.
June will see three films in theatres — Housefull 5, Maalik and Maa.
Phule director Ananth Mahadevan undeterred about box office clash with Prabhas, Yash, Akshay Kumar
9:42 AM
With April 11 marking the 197th birth anniversary of social activist Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, on whom his film Phule is based, filmmaker Anant Mahadevan says he’s undeterred about locking horns with mammoth projects fronted by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Yash
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 7, 2025)
At a time when the volume of content being churned out by the film industry often leads to a tussle for screens across India, releasing a small-budget offering alongside three big-budget productions may seem like a poorly calculated move. But April 11 is a date of significance for Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, given that it coincides with the 197th birth anniversary of social activist Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, on whom his film, Phule, is based.
Mahadevan acknowledges that releasing the movie merely a day after mammoth productions like Prabhas’s The Raja Saab, Yash’s Toxic, and Akshay Kumar’s Jolly LLB 3 hit the theatres may seem daunting for a filmmaker, but he is certain that the Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer will catch the attention of the audience he intends to target.
“April 11 is a milestone; a date to celebrate. It is relevant for us to release the film on that day, regardless of which other film is also released. Our date is finalised. In March, we will begin promoting Phule, and ensure that people belonging to each corner of India know what the film is about. I have shot at actual locations, like at a wada [fortress] in Bhor, Kolhapur, and Satara. I did not shoot on a set because my producers, Ritesh and Anuya Kudecha, insisted that the film be made as authentically as possible,” says Mahadevan.
Celebrating the socialists, Phule, and his wife Savitribai (played by Patralekhaa) for their innumerable contributions to society, Mahadevan calls the former the “Abraham Lincoln of India.”
“When Jyotirao learnt that Lincoln abolished slavery in America, he was deeply inspired. He was fighting a battle on two fronts—against the British, and [against society]. The fight was to dispel practices like gender and caste discrimination and promote the education of the girl child. Today if women have an opinion, are educated, and are taken seriously, [it is because of them]. Savitribai and Fatima Sheikh [Indian educator] were the first female teachers in India.”
Ask him if he considered casting Rajkummar Rao as the film’s leading man to have the husband-and-wife duo Rao and Patralekhaa reprise the relationship on screen, and he responds in the negative. “Pratik is an effortless actor,” he backs his leading man.
“He is a chameleon, and we can all just marvel at him. He works hard on each role, but that effort isn’t made obvious on the screen, and that is what acting is all about. Of course, Rajkummar is very accomplished, and I could have approached him via Patralekhaa, but when I saw Pratik and Patralekhaa together, I felt the real characters had come alive.”
For Phule, we hunted down locations in the Maharashtra belt that existed during the 1860s-Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
8:41 AM
Readying Jyotirao Phule’s biopic for April 11 release, director Mahadevan discusses how changing Pratik’s body language was integral to him playing the social reformer
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 30, 2024)
Almost two years after actor-director Ananth Mahadevan announced Phule, the Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer is complete, save for post-production. The director is feeling a wave of pride and relief knowing that he has pulled off what he considers his most ambitious film.
Talking about the biopic on social activist Jyotirao Phule, he shares, “Phule is my biggest film to date. The best part was that we hunted down locations in the Maharashtra belt that existed during their time, the 1860s. So, we didn’t have to create artificial sets. After Pratik and Patralekhaa got into their costumes, they looked exactly like those portraits that we’ve seen of Jyotirao and Savitribai.”
Phule will trace the lives of the social reformer and his wife Savitribai, who together fought against casteism, gender discrimination and championed women’s education. Casting his Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020) co-actor Gandhi was an easy choice for Mahadevan, given his “effortless performance”.
“Even as a person, Pratik is simple, grounded and works hard on his role. I like his and Patralekhaa’s dedication to their craft. I gave my actors their characters’ backstory. But [adopting] the body language and attitude of people of the 1860s in British India was tough for them. The body language of some actors, who play kings and queens [in period dramas], look as if they have just come from the gym. You cannot have modern mannerisms. So, we worked hard on [attaining] the right body language.”
The team is now gearing up for an April release. “My producers Ritesh, Pranay and Suunil Jain are planning to release it on April 11, which is Jyotiba’s birth anniversary.”
Patralekhaa admits that she's ‘super nervous’ to play Savitribai Phule
8:56 AM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 25, 2023)
Patralekhaa is gearing up to play social reformer, educationalist and poet Savitribai Phule in her next, Phule. “I am super nervous,” says the actor, who admits the prep to play someone of this stature has been challenging — more so because there is no footage or frame of reference available to help her get into the skin of the character.
“We don’t know what her demeanour was like,” Patralekhaa tells us, adding, “It’s just her poetry and what she’s left behind that we have [to understand her]. But, Savitribai’s writing is a window to her mind and mental state. I believe that’s better than any material.” In the absence of reference material, she asserts she is going to play Savitribai “like I think she would have been, like I would perceive her”.
Besides the Citylights (2014) actor, the Ananth Narayan Mahadevan directorial also stars Pratik Gandhi — as social reformer Jyotirao Phule. Is she apprehensive at all, about how the audience would react to such icons being recreated on the big screen?
“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments with the way I interpret anything. It would never be intentional. The rest, I leave to God,” Patralekhaa asserts.
“She (Savitribai) is such an inspirational character. I don’t know if I will be able to do justice to her. But, the clarity my director has and the talent that Pratik possesses pacify me a little. It feels like I am in good hands,” she wraps up.
Pratik Gandhi, Patralekhaa bag Ananth Narayan Mahadevan's Phule
8:16 AM
Director Mahadevan, who has roped in Pratik and Patralekhaa for Phule, on retelling Jyotirao Phule’s fight for women’s education
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 12, 2022)
On Jyotirao Phule’s 195th birth anniversary yesterday, director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan announced Phule, a biopic on the 19th century social activist. The poster sees Pratik Gandhi of Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story fame as the reformer who, along with wife Savitribai Phule, had championed women’s education.
“Jyotirao and his wife formed the Satyashodhak Samaj to look after women who were sexually abused or abandoned. He was the first person in India to be given the title of Mahatma [by social activist Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar]. He educated his wife when he learnt about her interest in reading. He understood that if she educated herself and became a teacher, it would serve his mission of having women teachers for young girls,” says Mahadevan.
Theatre actor Nadira Babbar was keen to do a one-woman play, written by Mahadevan, on Savitribai Phule. While the project didn’t materialise, Mahadevan was approached by Ritesh Kudecha to convert it into a web series. “It’s an epic along the lines of Gandhi [1982] and Lincoln [2012]. So, I thought it best to make it as a movie. As an actor, Pratik radiates intensity. Patralekhaa has an earthy quality to her,” he adds.
The director plans to take the film on floors by the year-end, shooting it in Pune, Nagpur and Nashik.
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