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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We are ruined, Hinjewadi IT Park moving out of Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar's angry outburst goes viral
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Pune (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has caused a flutter by revealing that Hinjewadi IT Park in Pune is "moving out" to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
A video of Pawar's angry outburst while inspecting civic works in Pimpri Chinchwad has gone viral.
"We are ruined. The entire IT park of Hinjewadi is moving out. It's going out of my Pune, out of Maharashtra to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, don't you care at all?" the Pune district guardian minister said while interacting with a local Sarpanch, Ganesh Jambhulkar.
Pawar reached Hinjewadi at 6 AM to take stock of local issues like waterlogging and others. He visited several areas in Pimpri Chinchwad.
While Pawar was inspecting the area, Jambhulkar confronted him and complained about local issues in the presence of the media.
"Temples are displaced when dams are constructed. You can say whatever you want, I’ll listen, but I will do what I want to.
"We have been ruined. The entire IT Park of Hinjewadi is moving out. It's going out of my Pune and Maharashtra to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, don't you care at all? Why do I come here for inspections at 6 in the morning? I don't understand. There's no alternative but to take strict action," Pawar said while asking media persons to switch off their cameras.
Hinjewadi houses the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, a large tech and business park spread over 2,800 acres, built by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. The business park has offices of over 800 companies.
Pune, Maharashtra: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar conducts an early morning inspection of Hinjewadi IT Park and surrounding areas including Maan and Marunji
— IANS (@ians_india) July 26, 2025
He reviewed unauthorized constructions and encroachments over drains pic.twitter.com/NwdgFOJ7lz
