Phule director Ananth Mahadevan calls out ‘immature society’ after film faces backlash: ‘We seem to have regressed in many ways’ | Bollywood News
There has been a lot of conversation around the upcoming Hindi film Phule. After the release of the movie’s trailer, the Brahmin community raised objections against Phule, after which the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded cuts in the film. Now, Phule director Ananth Mahadevan has opened up on the controversy and blamed society for being ‘immature’. He also admitted that as a society, we have ‘regressed’ in many ways.
In an interview with Times of India, Ananth was asked if we can find a solution to people jumping the gun before even watching the whole film. In his reply, he described society as “immature” and admitted that he doesn’t hope to see any change in such behaviour in the future. He said, “This comes forth either through some unnecessary prejudices or provocations or whatever, but we do not seem to have progressed.” Ananth further shared that he thinks as a society we have ‘regressed’ in many ways. He pointed out how people have become ‘self-centred and materialic’ and despite technological advancements, the social regressions has persed in our society.
Talking about the cuts that CBFC demanded in Phule, Ananth Mahadevan admitted that he felt ‘amused’ the demands. “It was not something so major to be labelled fair or unfair,” he said. Ananth also insed that as a filmmaker he doesn’t like his work being touched let alone altered. He said, “I don’t understand why we are so nervous about how people will react, or how sensitive they are. I think we should respect the sensibilities and the sensitivities of the audience.” The filmmaker went on to clarify that his film ‘does not exaggerate or fictionalise hory.’
Phule is based on the life of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule and how they fought against caste discrimination. It stars Patralekhaa and Pratik Gandhi in lead roles. Earlier, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap had also expressed anger and frustration with the CBFC and the Brahmin community for delaying Phule’s release and demanding cuts.
