I wasn’t planning to watch Phule. Honestly, it just happened.
It was one of those lazy weekends when you scroll on your phone, looking for something to do, and I saw a friend’s story about the movie.
Felt like maybe I should go and Booked a ticket without much thought.
I didn’t expect much. I thought it would be another serious biopic, something preachy maybe.
But… Phule turned out to be something else. Something that kind of sits with you, even after the lights come back on.
Savitribai Phule and Jyotirao Phule: Heroes of India’s Education Movement
The film tells the story of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule — two names I had honestly only heard in history classes before.
I knew they did something for education, but the movie showed how much they fought for it.
It’s not just about opening a school. It’s about standing against the whole system, knowing you’re going to be hated, mocked, maybe even harmed… and still going ahead with it.
The director didn’t make it feel boring or “lecture-like,” which was such a relief.
It felt… personal. Like you’re there, walking those dusty lanes with them, hearing the whispers, facing the anger.
An Honest Portrayal of Their Struggles
The performances felt real, not movie-like. The actress Patralekha, playing Savitribai, had this fire in her eyes. You could see the pain when people humiliated her, but also the stubbornness that said, “I’m not giving up.”
Pratik Gandhi, who played Jyotirao… man, he was so natural. He wasn’t shown as some flawless hero — he was just a simple man who refused to stay silent.
Stunning Cinematography and Music
Visually, the movie looks beautiful but not fake-beautiful, if you get what I mean.
Everything feels raw — the dusty streets, the broken walls, the old schools.
It’s not polished, and that’s what makes it feel alive.
Music?
They kept it soft. It’s there in the background, quietly making you feel things without shouting over the story.
A Movie That Makes You Reflect
There were moments when I felt uncomfortable.
Like, uncomfortable.
While the movie shows a story from over a hundred years ago, you realize some of those mindsets… they’re still around today. Girls still have to fight for education in so many places. Equality is still a long way from being achieved.
It’s weird how a movie can entertain you but also punch you in the gut like that.
A Small Personal Thought: I’ll be honest — I felt a little guilty after watching Phule. We take so much for granted today.
I mean, going to school, having choices… It’s easy to forget that people bled to give us these rights. Walking out of the theater, I just sat for a while outside.
Didn’t feel like checking my phone. Just needed a few minutes to sit with it all.
Final Words
Phule isn’t a movie you watch just for entertainment. It’s a movie you watch because you should. Because some stories deserve to be seen, felt and remembered.
Would I recommend it?
100% yes.
Just… go with an open heart.
Let it change something inside you, even if it’s small.
