Punjab: Theatre packed for the screening of ‘Phule’

Punjab: It was a rare festive occasion for over 350 men, women and children from across the region, most of them from Dalit families, as they gathered to watch a special screening of the film “Phule” at the local Prime Theatre this evening. The youth team of the Ambedkar Sena of India had booked two halls in the theatre for the biopic based on anti-caste icon Jyotirao and his wife Savitribai Phule. Students were given free tickets for the film. The rest paid a nominal fee of Rs 200 per head. Families were encouraged to come to watch the film as they were told they would be felicitated at the end of the show. Vehicles were also arranged for those who wished to come from nearby towns, including Phillaur, Goraya and Apra.

Meanwhile, the screening of the film in Doaba, a Dalit heartland where the Scheduled Caste community accounts for an estimated 39 per cent of the population, certainly assumed significance. Chief organiser and Dalit activist Gulshan Masandpur said, “The response to the film was as expected. It matches our mission to create awareness among Dalit youth, especially women and girls, against any kind of exploitation. We all have always considered Dr Ambedkar and Kanshiram as our role models. But the contribution of the Phule couple is no less. We felt it was our duty to make the next generation aware of their role.” As the film started, there was silence in the packed hall. They were all ready to watch the film right from the opening scene, which showed only six girls reaching the school that the couple had started amid great difficulties. Kulwant Kaur, a theatre artist who runs Manavta Kala Manch in Nagar village of Phillaur and came with her family, said, “My teenage children are well aware of the important historical events and the role of the Phule couple. We could have shown them the film at home. But I felt it was important to bring them to the theatre. We cannot provide them with the environment to watch such an inspiring film at home.” S L Virdi, a Dalit writer from Phagwara, also attended the event with his wife. He said, “After a long time, a full-fledged, big-budget, inspiring film on caste division, oppression and movement has been released. It was already on our watch list. When I got the invitation, I immediately accepted it.” Sukhdeep Singh, owner of the theatre, said, “We sold tickets worth Rs 42,000 for each show. Now it is up to the organisers to recover the money from the people who watched the film.” Harmesh Virk, a co-organiser, said, “Looking at the response, we are planning to hold two-three more shows of the film next week.”