Film on Mahatma Phule to be released this year, says Devendra Fadnavis

The decision to make a feature film on life of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule could not move further and was shelved only because of apathy on the part of previous Congress-NCP government. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday directed the officials to take immediate action on this proposal and release the film in this year which is 125th death anniversary year of Mahatma Phule.

The proposal which was pending for the last 12 years would receive a fillip since Fadnavis has directed for immediate action in this regard observing the year of 125th death anniversary of Mahatma Phule. What is shocking is that the state government in 2002 took a decision through its Cabinet and assumed that Union government as well as Madhya Pradesh government would chip in with Rs5 crore and Rs2.5 crore respectively for the film without their consent.

The Chief Minister's Office has issued a press release in this regard which stated that the proposal for making a film on life of legendary social reformer Mahatma Phule has received a nod by the state Cabinet in its meeting on July 24, 2002. Accordingly, a GR was issued in this regard on March 15, 2003, and it was decided that the feature film would be made jointly by state government, Union government and the Madhya Pradesh government.

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) was vested with the responsibility of producing the film and total cost was estimated at Rs10 crore. As per the GR, the film had to be completed by 2007, but entire process slowed down and nothing happened. According to the release, it was assumed by the state government that Union government would have share of Rs5 crore for the film and Madhya Pradesh government would bear Rs2.5 crore of expenditure for the film but money did not come both of these governments and in the process the cost increased. It also stated that the entire process was not handled properly which led to delay.

The NFDC has now presented the revised estimate for the film and Fadnavis has already said that even though there is no custom of celebrating death anniversary but taking in to account Mahatma Phule's contribution, the state government would organise various events to mark his 125th death anniversary this year. Fadnavis has asked the officials to take necessary action under the leadership of chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya.

Fadnavis also told media persons that the cost of the film has now risen up to Rs24 crore and state government would complete it. He also informed that the film would be made in Marathi, Hindi and English languages.