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Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 19:48 IST
Anubhav Sinha raises concerns about film censorship following backlash against Phule.
Director Anubhav Sinha has openly criticized the practice of film censorship in light of recent controversies surrounding the movie Phule, featuring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa. The film has come under scrutiny for its alleged portrayal of casteism, leading the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to mandate several edits prior to its release.
The filmmaker took to Instagram to elaborate on the contentious situation, questioning the broader implications of censorship within the film industry. He expressed his thoughts in Hindi, stating, “Is there no caste system in society? Has it never existed? Why should we lie to ourselves? And then, why should only cinema be the one to lie? After all, the kind of content the Election Commission permits in speeches and what the CBFC allows in films—these cannot be two separate standards. Both are means of communicating with society.”
Sinha encouraged younger audiences to engage with films that tackle difficult themes, including Santosh, Dhadak 2, and Phule. He asserted the importance of confronting uncomfortable conversations, remarking, “In fact, young people who are ready to shape the future should watch films like Santosh, Dhadak 2, and Phule together in theatres. Whether they agree or disagree is a different matter. The discerning youth of this country will not see these films as causes for division, but as reflections of the urgent need for social unity.”
He concluded by stressing the necessity of addressing unresolved dialogues from the past, stating that “uncomfortable conversations are the most essential. Dialogues from before 1947 still remain. So do those from after. Only by completing these unfinished conversations and moving forward from them can we truly progress—otherwise, we’ll remain trapped in the past and miss the opportunity to shape the future.”
In a show of support, actress Taapsee Pannu, who is collaborating with Sinha in Mulk 2, endorsed his views with a comment about collectively celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti in the future.
Concerns over the CBFC’s intervention were also echoed by Ridhi Dogra, who criticized the decision to delay Phule’s release. Dogra highlighted that the board had requested makers to remove references to the caste system found in historical texts and specific terminology related to Dalit communities. She commented on her Instagram story, questioning the sensitivity around cinematic portrayals while real societal issues often go unaddressed, asking, “This is depressing. This is no way to make films. Why is everyone touchy and hurt by cinema and not actual real world around them to stop and take real action. Why?”
Originally scheduled for release on April 11, 2025, Phule is now set to debut in theaters on April 25, 2025.
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