The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed the makers of Phule to remove several caste-related terms from the Pratik Gandhi starrer.
Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer, Phule- based on the story of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, who fought against caste system and promoted women's education in the 19th century, has landed into controversy. The Ananth Mahadevan-directorial, which was supposed to hit the screens on April 11, has now been delayed. As per a report in The New Indian Express, Phule's release has been postponed to April 21.
As per reports, a section of the Brahmin community in Maharashtra raised concerns about their representation in the movie, while some organisations alleged that it defames their community.
Following the objections, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed the makers of Phule to remove several caste-related terms.
As per the portal, CBFC has directed the makers to remove the terms such as 바카라˜Mahar바카라™, 바카라˜Mang바카라™, 바카라˜Peshvai바카라™, and 바카라˜Manu바카라™s system of caste바카라™, which are considered 'sensitive'.
The Brahmin Federation, led by President Anand Dave, alleged that the film promotes casteism and portrays their community in a negative light.
Dave claimed that the film highlights caste-based discrimination, and ignores the contributions of Brahmins who supported Mahatma Phule바카라™s reform efforts. He added, 바카라œThe story is one-sided. We are not against showing the truth, but it should be inclusive. The film could stoke caste-based tensions''.
Mahadevan refuted Dave바카라™s claims and told News18, 바카라œWhat you can do is make it honestly, stick to the facts, research, don바카라™t exaggerate and don바카라™t make it look unrealistic in anyway because their lives have been so dramatic that you don바카라™t even need to take any cinematic liberties. In fact, you바카라™ve to underplay a lot of things because it바카라™s so dramatic!"
He further said, 바카라œI바카라™m a Brahmin myself. If I바카라™ve to make a film on caste differences, I바카라™ll naturally be questioning myself first whether I바카라™m doing the right thing or not. I wouldn바카라™t be leaving it to the Brahmins of the world to come and question me and doubt my intentions. They should know that you cannot be questioning the doctor who바카라™s treating the patients. The doctor would want the welfare of his patients''.
The filmmaker also said that we have so much difference in classes that it can바카라™t be eradicated in the next 100-200 years and it will take time because it requires the mindset of people to change. ''And I don바카라™t think it바카라™s changing in a positive way. There바카라™s still a lot of indifference. This film couldn바카라™t be more relevant today than at any other time,'' he added.