Pratik Gandhi on CBFC Changes and Backlash for ‘Phule’

'Phule' starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, is a biopic of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.

Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa in the poster for Phule.

(Photo Courtesy: Instagram)

Ahead of the release of him film Phule, co-starring Patralekhaa, actor Pratik Gandhi sat down with The Quint to talk about his choice in films, the backlash for Phule, whether the CBFC-suggested cuts will affect the film, and more.

Speaking about the film’s subject, the actor said, “The biggest takeaway from the film is that the fight they started has still not ended so just be courageous enough to ask questions wherever you feel something isn’t right.”

The makers of Phule, a biopic on social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, had to remove several caste references, such as using terms like ‘Mahar’, ‘Mang’, ‘Peshvai’, and ‘Manu's system of caste', after they were flagged by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

When asked about whether these changes would affect the film, Gandhi said, “I wasn’t a part of the meeting or the process after that but I’m sure the creative decisions taken after the amendments were proposed will not harm the film much. As storytellers, they have other options to tell the same thing. We’ve shot enough to cover it up without compromising the core of the film.”

“When I come to know that there’s an agenda about the film or the story that I don’t agree with, then I don’t want to be part of it,” Gandhi said when asked if he hesitates to sign on films that have political or historical references, adding, “As far as these kind of stories and history is considered, I don’t take that pressure.”

“A simple click on Google and you’ll know the whole story. It’s what has happened in the world; you can’t deny it after a point. For the backlash, I don’t know if this has become a habit of the whole country or the world; to oppose something without reading or watching. Watch the film so you have better things to oppose. I would like to thank these people for making the point of this film more relevant. That was the point of their fight all those years ago."

Pratik Gandhi, Actor

Watch the full conversation in the video.