Phule- A Must Watch

I recently watched Phule in a Delhi theatre, but the nearly empty theatre was disheartening. The few young men seated nearby were more engrossed in conversation than the film, which I found disruptive. This reflects a broader tragedy in our society: while films featuring superstars are celebrated, meaningful cinema like Phule, with its strong social and political relevance, struggles to find an audience. One of the reasons is the hero worship in India, where actors are glorified as demigod-like figures, often at the expense of a film’s quality and aesthetic depth. The audience’s sensibilities remain underdeveloped as they are fed low-quality films that prioritize glamour over substance. Writers, directors, and technicians have become secondary to the commercial dominance of money and heroes, which harm the very soul of cinema. Phule is an exceptional film with a powerful social message, making it a must-watch for every Indian. It tells the true story of Jyotirao Phule, Maharashtra’s first social reformer and India’s first ‘Mahatma’ (great soul), and his wife, Savitribai Phule. Set in the early 19th century, the film depicts an era when casteism and gender discrimination were rampant. Women were denied education, their sole purpose reduced to bearing children. The Brahmin community largely upheld these oppressive norms, though a few risked their lives to educate girls. Jyotirao, a learned man from his community, and Savitribai spearheaded a revolutionary movement to educate girls, sacrificing their reputation and safety in the process. Inspired by the French Revolution and global social movements, Jyotirao tried to demolish a system that denied justice to lower castes and women. His unwavering enthusiasm and fight against societal evils, alongside Savitribai, form the heart of the film. Branded as anti-national and a divider of Hindus by Brahmins for his reformative work, Jyotirao’s struggles mirror India’s current social challenges. While much has changed, progress remains slow, and we cannot yet claim to be a just society where Dalits and women are treated equally. Jyotirao’s words—that there will always be forces dividing society by religion and caste, but we must remain honest and work positively—Echo strongly. This message is especially relevant in modern India, where polarization driven by religion, caste, and creed is exploited for political gain. Pratik Gandhi delivers an outstanding performance as Jyotirao Phule, while Patralekha shines as Savitribai Phule. Writer-director Ananth Mahadevan’s brilliant script and masterful direction elevate Phule into a cinematic masterpiece. I appreciate Mahadevan’s courage and conviction for creating such a film in an era when India’s social and political fabric is falling apart due to propaganda, hatred, and division. Phule is a powerful reminder of the need for unity and justice—a film that is not to be missed and cherished.

Kashmir:A hope amidst despair

Kashmir's plight and Medias role Kashmir is a paradise on earth, but Kashmiris are caught between the devil and the deep sea. On one side, there is Pakistan, and on the other, the Indian army. Both disrupt the peaceful existence of Kashmiris, who have nothing to do with terrorism. Kashmir has been embroiled in violence for many years. Yet, every time an attack occurs, their patriotism is questioned. Like Muslims in India, they are expected to prove their loyalty. The recent shooting in Pahalgam was no different, even though Kashmiri drivers, horsemen, and others saved many lives, risking their own. The Fall of Indian Media In reality, the Indian media, once considered the fourth pillar of democracy, has fallen so low morally and ethically that it resembles Radio Rwanda. One might suspect that the media is eager to incite a civil war between Hindus and Muslims. I have never seen the Indian media so amoral and bloodthirsty, which both scares and disappoints me. All I hear in the media is a war cry against Muslims and Pakistan. Is this truly the role of the media? I cannot fathom how people can stoop so low for money. Most media anchors work for corporate bosses who control the current regime. Thus, everyone involved in this “drama” profits, except the public, who suffer from inflation, price rises, communal riots, and oppression. I do not expect any positive change from the media, but the harm they inflict on the soul of our nation is profound. They have destroyed our communal harmony and peace, as well as the nation’s moral compass. Through their “Hindu-Muslim shouting matches,” poor Muslims are lynched, harassed, and their homes are bulldozed daily. Meanwhile, the public remains unaware of government scams, as the truth is covered up with blatant lies and glorification of the government. The Pahalgam Incident and Media Bias The media played its role in “igniting Hindus” after the Pahalgam incident as well. They conveniently forgot to mention the Kashmiri Muslims who sacrificed their lives to save Hindu tourists. These Kashmiri Muslims carried tourists on their shoulders to safety and cared for them until they left Kashmir. Instead, the media demonized Kashmiris, portraying them as terrorists who orchestrated the attack. Ordinary Kashmiris were upset and saddened by this portrayal. In response, they led a procession in Kashmir and shut down shops in solidarity with the murdered tourists. They were literally in tears. Communal Tensions Across India In other parts of India, Kashmiri students are attacked, and certain Muslim shops are burned and destroyed. The Hindu-Muslim agenda has been the primary election strategy of the current BJP regime since 2014, and the lynching of Muslims has become commonplace in many regions. Shockingly, this has become the norm, and few raise their voices against it. However, the Pahalgam attack, which some victims described as a targeted assault on non-Muslims after identifying their religion, was sensationalized by the Godi media and BJP IT cell propaganda. While the Pahalgam attack is indeed a terrorist act, the lynching of poor Muslims by Hindu fanatics in India is also a form of terrorism that no one wants to discuss. The Godi media and RSS/BJP propaganda machines work overtime to demonize every Muslim as a “jihadi” or “terrorist.” Yet, they have no qualms about doing business in Gulf countries or meeting their leaders. Moreover, many BJP leaders’ daughters are married to wealthy Indian Muslims, suggesting that their issues are primarily with poor Muslims. Hope Amid Despair However, the Godi media is the worst terrorist in India, as it is the main troublemaker in the nation. India would be much better off without this sold-out media, which lacks any ethics or basic humanity. My heart goes out to the poor Kashmiris and other Muslims in India who are constantly asked to prove their patriotism simply because of their religious beliefs. We have had great freedom fighters from the Muslim community, unlike the cultural wing of the BJP, which collaborated with the British during India’s freedom struggle. Kashmiris are known for their hospitality, and I have fond memories of the people and the place from my visits. I hope they will survive this ordeal and come out stronger as the friendly and kind humans they have always been, even though I have lost hope in our sold-out media, which lusts for money by groveling in front of power and advancing its divide-and-rule agenda.