Phule is a 2025 Bollywood Hindi biopic film, directed is Anant Mahadevan, while producer is Dancing Shiva Films, Kingsmen Productions Films, and Zee Studios.
The film’s story is based on the life of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. This film’s leading star cast are Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha in lead roles. The film was released to plan in India on 11 April 2025, it was finally released on 25 April 2025.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Anant Mahadevan
- Writer: Anant Mahadevan, Muazzam Beg
- Producer: Sunil Jain, Pranay Chokshi, Ritesh Kudecha, Jagdish Patel, Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Dr. Raj Khaware
- Star Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Patralekha
- Cinematography: Sunita Radia
- Editor: Raunak Phadnis
- Music Director: Rohan-Rohan
- Production companies: Dancing Shiva Films, Kingsmen Productions
- Genre: Biography
- Distributor: Zee Studios
- Release date: 25 April 2025
- Running time: 129 minutes
- Country: India
- Language: Hindi
Phule movie 2025 Trailer
Star Cast
- Pratik Gandhi as Jyotirao Phule
- Patralekha as Savitribai Phule
- Vinay Pathak as Govindrao Phule
- Suresh Vishwakarma as Dr. Vishram Ghole
- Sushil Pandey as Raja Ram Phule (Baba Ji)
- Vishal Tiwari as Tatyasaheb Bhide
- Joy Sengupta as Vinayak Deshpande
- Amit Behl as Punchayat Head Brahmin
- Akshaya Gurav as Fatima Sheikh
- Jayesh More as Usman Sheikh
- Dhanjay Madrekar as Lahuji Raghoji Salve
- Darsheel Safary as Yashwant
- Asit Redij as Vishnupant Thatte
- Abhinav Patekar as Narayan Meghaji Lokhande
- Akanksha Gade as Kashibai
- Abhinav Singh Raghav as Mangal Deshpande
- Alexx O’Nell as Ribbs Johnes
- Ellie as Mrs. Ribbs Johnes
Production
In April 2022, it was revealed that Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha would play the key roles in the biopic on Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule. The film, which was directed by Anant Mahadevan, attempts to illustrate the couple’s contributions to Indian education and social development. To depict the historical tale, important scenes were filmed starting in April 2023.
On July 11, 2024, the film’s first trailer was published, demonstrating its emphasis on reformers. By October 2024, the main photography was finished.
Music/Songs
Kausar Munir and Sarosh Asif wrote the lyrics, and Rohan-Rohan composed the music for the movie.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) |
| 1 | “Saathi” | Kausar Munir | Monali Thakur |
| 2 | “Dhun Lagi” | Sarosh Asif | Romy |
| 3 | “Saathi” | Kausar Munir | Rohan Pradhan |
Release
Theatrical
The movie was originally slated to open in theatres on April 11, 2025, which was also Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s 197th birthday. The film was originally approved by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a U-certificate. Still, it was delayed until April 25, 2025, due to concerns from Brahmin organisations in Maharashtra, who said the film disparaged their community. The CBFC asked the filmmakers to make many changes in response to the criticism.
A voiceover mentioning the caste system and historically accurate caste-specific words referring to marginalised Dalit groups were among these changes. A reference to “3,000 years of slavery” should be softened, and images showing caste-based humiliation should be changed, according to the board’s demands.
Filmmakers, historians, and activists strongly objected to the CBFC’s requests, denouncing the censoring as an effort to minimise the lived realities of marginalised groups and whitewash history. The irony of banning a movie depicting the Phules’ historic struggle against caste domination in order to placate the identical social system they resisted was noted by critics.
Review
With an average rating of 6.5/10, 70% of the ten reviews on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes are favourable.
Pratik Gandhi is the heart and soul of the film, Patralekhaa serves as the ideal foil, and Watch Phule not only because it has something to say but also because it says it—with restraint and integrity, remarked Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV, who rated the movie 3.5 out of 5.
Both Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha as Jyotiba and Savitribai do justice to their roles, according to Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express, who gave it a rating of 2.5 out of 5. The latter was given more fiery oratorical opportunities in her struggle against injustice.
Hemant Waje of rediff.com gave Phule a rating of 3.5 out of 5 and said, We should appreciate director Anant Mahadevan for treating Phule with composure and not going overboard in this era of sensationalism.
This biopic is dull and uninspired, according to Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India. Phule turns into a film about formalities rather than thoughts and sentiments. It’s unfortunate—a movie about progressive characters trapped in creatively archaic territory. In this day and age, the zero-gravity chasm between readymade stories and dramatised storytelling is the biggest sci-fi device of our times.
Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa deliver good performances, stated Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times, who awarded the film three stars out of five. Overall, Phule is a genuine, significant movie that is tarnished by an overly basic subject and storyline.
Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa deliver good performances, stated Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times, who awarded the film three stars out of five. Overall, Phule is a genuine, significant movie that is tarnished by an overly basic subject and storyline.
Firstpost’s Ganesh Aaglave rated Phule 3.5 stars out of 5, stating that it is a lovely homage to Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule and should be seen by all Indians.
India’s Sana Farzeen, considering how little is known about Jyotirao Phule, the nation’s first Mahatma, Today gave “Phule” a rating of 3 out of 5.
The movie itself obscures the most radical facets of Phule’s unique accomplishments, according to Nandini Ramnath of Scroll. in. Patralekhaa emphasises her presence more than Pratik Gandhi, who is hardly there. From one well-known historical lesson to the next, the movie drags on.
Phule may not be captivating in the conventional sense of a biography, but it succeeds in educating and honouring two of India’s most significant yet sometimes disregarded reformers, according to Devesh Sharma of Filmfare, who scored it 3.5 stars out of 5. Even if it doesn’t always capture your heart, this movie opens your eyes.
Bollywood Hungama’s critics gave it two stars out of five, stating that Pratik Gandhi’s outstanding performance is the focal point of the film, which portrays the tale of a great social rebel. However, the film suffers severely due to a poorly written script and mediocre direction.
Political response
Rahul Gandhi, a member of the Indian National Congress and the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, saw the movie while visiting Patna. Rahul posted, “I watched the movie Phule at Inox Mall in Patna with local social activists during my visit to Bihar today, and it deeply moved me.” Justice, equality, and education are difficult goals to achieve. Our society and country can be guided on this path today by the lives, hardships, and goals of Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
