Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap has strongly criticized the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the government after the release of the film Phule was postponed. Taking to Instagram Stories, Kashyap penned a sharp and emotional note, expressing his frustration over the alleged censorship.
“If casteism didn’t exist, there would be no need for Phule,” writes Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap wrote, “The first play I ever did in my life was about Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. If casteism didn’t exist, they wouldn’t have had to fight. What’s so difficult for this community to accept? Or do they consider themselves separate? Please tell me, who exactly is being foolish here?”
His remarks were directed at what he perceives as societal denial and the censorship of history and caste-based struggles.
CBFC’s ‘U’ Certificate with Conditions Sparked Outrage
The CBFC granted the film a ‘U’ certificate on April 7 but asked for several changes. These included removal of terms like ‘Mang’, ‘Mahar’, and ‘Peshwai’, and a modification in the phrase “3,000 years of slavery” to a more vague “how many years of slavery”. Director Ananth Mahadevan has reportedly complied with these changes.
Release Delayed Amid Protests
Phule, starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, was initially scheduled to hit cinemas on April 11, but was postponed following objections from a specific community. The film is now expected to be released on April 25.
A Tribute to Social Reformers
The film is based on the life and struggles of Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and Savitribai Phule, two of India’s earliest social reformers who dedicated their lives to fighting caste discrimination and championing women’s education.
