Censor board asks ‘Phule’ to drop caste terms; Release delayed
Mumbai: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed the makers of Phule—a biopic on social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule—to remove several caste-related terms, following objections raised by Brahmin community associations.
The film, directed by Ananth Mahadevan and starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha in the lead roles, was initially scheduled to release on April 11, 2025, to mark Mahatma Phule’s birth anniversary. However, following the controversy, the release has been rescheduled to April 21.
The CBFC's directive includes the removal of terms such as ‘Mahar’, ‘Mang’, ‘Peshvai’, and ‘Manu’s system of caste’, which are considered 'sensitive'. The move comes after the Brahmin Federation, led by President Anand Dave, alleged that the film promotes casteism and portrays Brahmins in a negative light.
Dave argued that while the film highlights caste-based discrimination, it ignores the contributions of Brahmins who supported Mahatma Phule’s reform efforts. “The story is one-sided. We are not against showing the truth, but it should be inclusive. The film could stoke caste-based tensions,” he said.
Reacting to the objection, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA and former minister Jitendra Awhad said on social media, “History cannot be erased, it can only be learned from. Whatever is shown in the movie Mahatma Jyotirao Phule is a historical truth—truth cannot be denied or altered. Among the social reformers of this country, the names of Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule stand at the forefront. What is true must be shown.”
Awhad added that those who supported Phules should certainly be acknowledged, but removing key historical facts would defeat the purpose of the film. “Filmmakers must not bow to pressure. Society moves forward by accepting and learning from the mistakes of history,” he said.
Director Ananth Mahadevan also responded to the controversy, defending the film's content. He said the biopic was made after extensive research, drawing from multiple books and historical sources. Mahadevan maintained that, like all filmmakers, he had exercised cinematic liberty, but ensured that the portrayal remained true to historical facts.
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Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance announcement for civic polls likely next week
Mumbai (PTI): The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to announce next week their alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, with seat-sharing for all the civic bodies, except Mumbai, almost complete, leaders of both the parties said.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the all-important Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, and the counting of votes will take place the next day.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS will forge an alliance for the polls in municipal corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune and Nashik, among others.
The Sena (UBT) is headed by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, while his once-estranged cousin Raj is the president of the MNS.
"Talks for all civic bodies, except Mumbai, are complete. The sticking point is about the seats that we are demanding in Marathi-dominated areas. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is not still not agreeing to it which has delayed the seat-sharing. But the talks have to be over soon since the date of filing nominations starts next week (December 23 to December 30)," an MNS leader said.
Talking to reporters, MNS leader and former MLA Nitin Sardesai said, "It is appropriate to say that the talks are in final stages but it is difficult to say when it will be officially announced. I can only say that all sides are putting efforts to complete the talks and they are working towards it."
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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab met Raj Thackeray to discuss seat-sharing.
A Sena (UBT) leader said talks are in final stages and there is no hurdle in the seat-sharing agreement.
"The two brothers are expected to officially announce the alliance between the two parties on Monday in a public event or through a press conference that will set the tone for the civic body polls," he said.
Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena blaming Uddhav for his exit in 2005 and floated the MNS in 2006. They had been political rivals since then.
However, after the drubbing of their parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls in 2024 - the Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, while MNS drew a blank - both leaders decided to put behind their political acrimony and find a common ground for survival.
Over the past few months, the two cousins shared the stage or were spotted at public forums together multiple times for various reasons.
The cousins publicly ended their two-decade-long estrangement in July, where they addressed a joint rally. At the event, Uddhav said they have come together to stay together.
