Phule biopic release postponed after cuts suggested by CBFC

Mumbai: The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Thursday criticised the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for suggesting cuts in the upcoming biopic on social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. The party accused the central body of double standards. The Congress party also slammed the government for putting the pressure on the director for removal of some scenes.

The CBFC had made 12 suggestions and several cuts, following which the shots of “a man carrying a broom” and “boys throwing cow dung bolls Savitri Bai Phule” have been replaced. Following the controversy, the biopic ‘Phule’, which was earlier scheduled to be released on April 11, will be released on April 25.

Maharashtra NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil alleged that the censor board has never objected to any scene of the movies like The Kashmir Files or The Kerala Story. “The censor board did not object to a single scene from propaganda movies like The Kashmir Files or The Kerala Story. But it was quick to make objections to films like the Phule biopic. It reflects the mentality of the board,” he said.

Questioning the knowledge of members of the censor board, Mr. Patil also said that when the members are asking who Namdeo Dhasal is, it shows how intelligent people are sitting there.

NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad asked whether those who are opposing the film are trying to hide history. Mr. Awhad said that he spoke to the film’s producer, who said that the film would now be released on April 25, instead of the earlier scheduled date of April 11. “The casteist censor board has tried to strengthen the casteist mindset by suggesting alterations in the film. The producers had left with no option but to accept them,” Mr. Awhad said.

The NCP (SP) legislator also sarcastically said that it was good that the movie has created a controversy as the movie would enlighten the Bahujans of the country about the atrocities committed against them in the past.

In a post on X, Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar pointed out that the government takes names of Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar, while the censor board opposes a movie based on these great personalities. “This is nothing but a suppression of the ideologies of Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar. Putting pressure on the film producer is muzzling the ideology,” Mr. Wadettiwar said.

Earlier, Several Brahmin organisations had raised objections after the movie’s teaser came out. Sarva Brahmin Sanghatana had written a letter to the state government asking for the removal of a scene where a small Brahmin boy was shown throwing cow dung on Savitribai Phule. Speaking with this newspaper, Govind Kulkarni, national president of Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasangh said that a delegation of the Brahmin has submitted a letter to Satara district collector for the removal of the scene from the movie as it will unnecessarily create a conflict among the people.