Movie Review – Phullu by Suhel Johar

Phullu Dares To Go Where No Other Man Has Gone Before.

Films on social issues and female issues are often taken as a subject to create awareness or convey a message. But a natural and regular phenomenon that every girl on the planet goes through ‘the menstrual cycle’ or in simpler words ‘ monthly periods’ has never been considered as a topic of discussion let alone making a film on it. In the country where such topics are still considered taboo, a film based on it was something beyond imagination. In that sense the team of Phullu deserves a pat on their back for daring to pick up an untold taboo topic and give us our very first film that openly talks about the women issues related to menses.

Unfortunately, Ambi Abhi Production’s Phullu arrives without much promotion whatsoever and to add to that the film has been granted an Adults only certificate. That would have a telling effect on its box office performance as targeted promotion could have actually helped its cause.

Directed by Abhishek Saxena, who marks his Hindi films directorial debut, the subject of Phullu, has an unlikely but determined man at the centre of the action. Based on the life of an uneducated man named Phullu, who stays with his mother and sister in a small town and is famous for not doing any work other than helping the women of his village by getting them things from the city.

Phullu runs several errands for women in the village including his wife. In one dialogue, Phullu says, ‘If I leave the village, who will take care of ladies of my village? ‘. This dialogue is the representation of Phullu’s personality, a man who empathises with a woman’s daily struggles.

An event during one of his many journeys makes him realize the issues women go through during their menstruation. Phullu attempts to create awareness as well as affordable sanitary napkins for women in rural areas.

Despite below par cinematography the film manages to beautifully capture the world of a remote village where modernity is yet to knock its door.

The tone of the film is a bit melodramatic. It also sounds preachy at times. It would have helped if the film’s tone was more light-hearted and humorous. In the absence of the required humour quotient, Phullu turns out to be a more of a social drama, preaching about another problem?

At points, the story gets too self involved from Phullu’s perspective. Also, the lack of a coherent script and fluidity in the screenplay leads to a half baked attempt. The film might seem stretched in the first half and the screenplay could easily have been better, but it isn’t bad either and successfully touches the right chords. But the execution of the larger picture falls short at a few places, pulling the film down a bit. Due to which at places the film gives you the impression of a docu feature.

The transition from being a good for nothing fellow to a man with a cause seems a tad too hurried and unexplained. But you do want to see this man, putting all the obstacles behind him, make that climb, and you share his delight when he reaches that goal. The film ends on that note and you wish that we were shown what Phullu does next to achieve his dream after meeting his goal.  

Phullu ticks most of the boxes, and touches upon crucial issues that define the period. But the links are weak, and the subplots episodic. But the director is able to make his point and the message the film has tried to convey gets delivered.

Phullu has been ridden by controversies for having a plot similar to the Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor starrer Padman which is still under production. It is sad how a small film like Phullu is a victim of lobbying. Even the Censor Board gave an A-certificate to the film which is absolutely an injustice to the film like this. How can personal hygiene and menstrual cycle of women be an adult content? If that is something really adult and bad then why allow television channels to carry sanitary pads commercials?  The news was doing the rounds that the team of the latter film has suppressed the promotions of Phullu but every film has its own fate.

The director of the film Abhishek Saxena makes an above average debut with the film. He does falter at times but regains lost ground soon. What sets him apart and makes him a director to watch out for is his ability to choose a totally unconventional subject that few would have wanted to touch.

The writing by Shaheen Iqbal shines in parts and his dialogues though could have been better. Cinematography by Simarjit Singh Suman is below average especially in the scenes where the hand-held camera is used. Rohit Mhatre’s editing could have been crisper.

Music by Vickky Agarwal is good and an asset to the film. Chukar Tujhe and Bhunoor Bhunoor are the pick of the lot. The other two songs Man Matanga and Tattai Tattai too work in the film. Background score by Troy Arif is effective.  

Sharib Hashmi has nailed it with his top notch performance as Phullu. He is the backbone of the film and carries the film on his shoulders. Jyoti Sethi as his wife does an excellent job. The chemistry between Sharib and Jyoti is endearing. Nutan Surya does full justice to her role as Phullu’s mother. Namya Saxena perfect job of an annoyed helpless mother. Trisha Kale as Phullu’s sister is good. Namya Saxena and the rest of the cast are effective in their respective roles.  Inaam Ul Haq makes his presence felt with his comedy act in a cameo.

On the whole, Phullu is a good example of unconventional cinema due to its bold theme that educates and entertains. A must watch film for women and young girls irrespective of whether they belong to rural or urban India.