New Delhi: Bollywood rarely tells stories of Dalit empowerment. Instead, it often portrays marginalised communities as victims who require the compassion and protection of an upper-caste saviour. This may explain why the inspiring story of Jyotirao (played by Pratik Gandhi) and Savitribai Phule (played by Patralekhaa) has largely been overlooked by commercial filmmakers.

Writer-director Ananth Mahadevan focuses on this courageous Marathi couple, who, in the 19th century, challenged the existing social order and upper-caste dominance through education and progressive values. They initiated a movement against caste and gender discrimination.

Employing straightforward yet effective storytelling techniques, the film, co-written by Mahadevan and Muazzam Beg, boldly highlights the inequities of the caste system and the relentless efforts of the 19th-century social reformer to dismantle the customs and practices that keep the underprivileged trapped in poverty, illiteracy, and powerlessness.

Key scenes in the film are elaborately staged, while others are conveyed through incisive dialogue or dealt with succinctly. ‘Phule’ defiantly rejects the conventions of commercial Hindi cinema, an obvious strength that may not appeal to those in search of more conventional entertainment.

Beyond the show-stealing performances and craftsmanship of the production, where cinematographer Sunita Radia and editor Raunak Phadnis perform their roles flawlessly, nothing matches the intensity that Actress Patralekhaa brings to this film. She is undeniably the heart and soul of the film, eclipsing everyone else.

Patralekhaa stands out as an impressive counterbalance to Patreek Gandhi’s portrait. The film also features notable supporting roles from Vinay Pathak as Jyotirao’s father, Sushil Pandey as the reformer’s irritable elder brother, Darsheel Safary as the couple’s adopted son Yashwant, and Joy Sengupta as an outspoken Brahmin leader.

Watch ‘Phule’ not just for its crucial message, but for the powerful and thought-provoking way it delivers that message with unwavering integrity.