EXCLUSIVE! Pratik Gandhi on Phule movie: 'I want this story to reach a larger audience' | Not Just Bollywood

Phule is based on the lives of Jyotirao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, who were prominent social reformers in India. The film shows their struggles and triumphs in fighting against caste discrimination and gender inequality. Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha are playing the titular roles of Jyotirao and Savitribai in the film. In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost, Pratik Gandhi talks about the fim, preparation for the role and more.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

What were the pressures of playing a real-life character?

Rather than pressure, I guess, the only certain concerns which were there in our mind as a team is that let’s not make these characters unidirectional by just talking about popular opinions about their life. You know, we always wanted to create human stories around their life, which we have tried to a large extent. Because their achievements in whatever they’ve done as far as the social reforms are known to people.

How they have done, what must have happened in their mind and in their hearts when they’re doing this is what we try to achieve.

The trailer is quite impressive. It may decide the success of the movie. But then, you know, now the theatre going audience is also very different. So we really don’t know what they expect out of the  Phule  movie… Box-office success is a different game altogether, but what are your expectations?

I want this particular film to reach the maximum audience as a story. As a journey of these two exceptionally, revolutionary people. Those who changed the social norms in India. Those who have got the reforms that have made our lives today. As a storyteller, as an artist, as an actor, I want this story to reach a larger audience. That’s what I want.

But as far as box office is concerned, I have no understanding of box office. But then, that’s what most of the trade experts can tell us better.

Since you dealt with this character, are there any layers in his character or like any other human or some grey shades, anything about him that he was stubborn or headstrong?

Headstrong, yes, because if he hadn’t been a headstrong person, he couldn’t have achieved what he’s achieved. So you need to be firm at some point. And headstrong at certain points. Even at the cost of your own life or your own loved ones’ lives. And because it was a too hostile a situation back then, the moment you talk about any strict societal norms. And if you want to go against it. That is something which is connected to religion, and then it makes it even more difficult to ask questions against.

And, how much impact did Phule play in your life? How much similarities do you find in him and yourself?

I think that if I have to talk about similarities, it’s a little stubborn approach towards something that you want so badly or you want to change. I too have that kind of an attitude. He did it for society. The only difference being, I did it for myself. I see myself as a very selfish person. Because I also wanted to break the norm of just getting into a comfortable job and lead a comfortable life.