Anant Mahadevan's Phule hits theatres; Mee Sindhutai Sapkal begins streaming on OTT, here's where you can watch

Anant Mahadevan's much-anticipated biographical drama Phule finally hit theatres on April 25, 2025, marking a momentous occasion for the lauded filmmaker. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule were two remarkable social reformers whose lives inspired the film's protagonists, Pratik Gandhi and Patralekha. The film was postponed from its original April 11, 2025, release date in response to concerns raised by some members of the Brahmin community in Maharashtra over its depiction of caste issues. It coincided with the 197th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule.

Release postponement amidst controversy and CBFC recommendations

Several changes were sought by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to complaints on certain lines of dialogue, images, and a voiceover that made reference to the caste system. The filmmakers delayed the release until April 25, 2025, in consideration of the sentiments and the recommendations made by CBFC.

Mee Sindhutai Sapkal begins streaming on ZEE5

In the same week that Phule hits theatres, Mahadevan's critically praised 2010 biopic Mee Sindhutai Sapkal has started streaming on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium), providing viewers with yet another impactful story based on real events. A woman named Sindhutai Sapkal, whose life-altering experience led her to devote herself to helping abandoned children, is the protagonist of the film.

Sindhutai, whose birth name was Chindi (meaning "ragamuffin"), was born into a poor cattle-grazing family in Wardha and endured unbelievable hardship as a child. She was married off to somebody twenty years her elder when she was just ten years old, and he eventually left her behind on baseless accusations of adultery. She refused to give in to hopelessness, so she travelled all throughout Maharashtra, eventually opening an orphanage and making it all the way to San Jose on a fundraising drive.

Mee Sindhutai Sapkal garnered critical acclaim and National Awards

Numerous National Film Awards were bestowed upon the film, which featured Tejaswini Pandit, Jyoti Chandekar, Upendra Limaye, and Neena Kulkarni, in addition to critical praise. Among these, Bindiya, Sachin Khanolkar, and Anant Mahadevan (watch The Xpose) were honoured with the Special Jury Award; Suresh Wadkar was named Best Male Playback Singer; and Anant Mahadevan and Sanjay Pawar were named Best Screenplay (Adapted Screenplay) and Best Dialogues, respectively.

By making Mee Sindhutai Sapkal on streaming and Phule resurrecting another period in India's illustrious history of social reform, Mahadevan confirms his dedication to narrating tales of perseverance, transformation, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit.