Pratik Gandhi expresses disappointment over Phule delay with Patralekha; urges Brahmin Community to watch the film

Phule film delayed

Actor Pratik Gandhi has voiced his disappointment following the unexpected postponement of his upcoming film Phule, which was initially slated for release on 11 April — the 197th birth anniversary of the iconic social reformer Jyotirao Phule. The film will now release on 25 April, amid ongoing controversy and backlash from certain groups.

In an interview with PTI, the Scam 1992 star said, “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...”

"It was disheartening for one big reason because this April 11 was the 197th birth anniversary of Jyotirao Phule. Had the film released on April 11, it would have been a part of history. That date was important. But whatever happens, happens for the best. There are certain things that were asked to be softened a little and communicated differently. With respect to the film, without changing or harming the film, whatever was possible has been done, is what I'm told."

Gandhi also addressed the controversy surrounding the trailer. “There was a sudden uproar by a set of people who felt that it was against them or their ideology. April 25 suddenly felt like a better date for the distributors and producers,” he added.

Following the trailer’s release on 10 April, several Brahmin organisations objected to specific dialogues and depictions. In response, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approved a ‘U’ certificate on 7 April, after suggesting several changes — including the removal of words like ‘Mang’, ‘Mahar’, and ‘Peshwai’, and softening phrases like “3,000 saal purani ghulami.”

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Pratik made a heartfelt appeal: “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.”

Director Ananth Mahadevan also clarified that the film is factual and not agenda-driven, noting that certain Brahmins historically supported Phule’s reformist initiatives.