‘Watch the film before judging’: Pratik Gandhi on ‘Phule’ trailer backlash

Actor Pratik Gandhi on Sunday urged audiences not to judge Phule based solely on its trailer, after the film’s release was pushed to April 25 amid backlash from a section. The delay, he said, was disappointing—particularly because the film was originally set to release on 11 April, which marked the 197th birth anniversary of Jyotirao Phule.

“It was disheartening for one big reason because this April 11 was the 197th birth anniversary of Jyotirao Phule,” Gandhi said in an interview. “Had the film released on April 11, it would have been a part of history. That date was important. But whatever happens happens for the best.”

The actor, who plays the pioneering social reformer in the film, said the postponement came down to a combination of last-minute certification changes and external pressure.

“There were certain amendments that were to be made in the final film,” he explained. “Also, there was a certain set of people who felt that it was against them or their ideology. So I guess that clarification might take a while.”

According to Gandhi, the changes suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) included softening certain terms and reframing phrases without altering the film’s essence. “There are certain things that were asked to be softened a little and communicated differently. With respect to the film, without changing or harming the film, whatever was possible has been done—is what I'm told,” he said.

He added that the new release date also made more sense from a logistical perspective: “April 25 suddenly felt like a better date for the distributors and producers. So yes, all these things, I guess, made them change it.”

When asked about the trailer controversy, Gandhi said he was surprised but empathetic. “I was really surprised by the reaction this way. But I can also understand where they are coming from,” he said. “I'm just requesting... watch the film and then make your own opinion. Whatever you have seen is just a trailer. There are a lot of lines in the trailer—the deeper context of those lines will be there in the film. So what you have seen right now are just out-of-context lines.”

Gandhi said he learnt of the delay while shooting in Rajasthan and had no control over the decision. “I was shooting... and I just came to know that, okay, it is pushed back by two weeks. I was disheartened immediately. But then I spoke to them, and I got to know the reasons... These are the reasons why you can't have any control.”

Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, ‘Phule’ also stars Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule. The film is backed by Dancing Shiva Films and Kingsmen Productions and will be released in theatres on 25 April.