Satyashodhak: Marathi Movie Review
Rating: 
️️️
Plot: A biopic on the struggles of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, who strived to educate the poor and eradicate the caste system from society.
Writer and Director – Nilesh Raosaheb Jalamkar
Cinematography – Arun Prasad
Music – Amitraj
Cast: Sandeep Kulkarni, Rajshri Deshpande, Ganesh Yadav, Ravindra Mankani,
Satyashodhak Marathi Movie Review:
Due to a rich culture and heritage, Marathi cinema always has captivating stories to tell. One such legend who took upon himself to educate the poor and reform the backward society. ‘Satyashodhak’ is the tale of Mahatma Phule showcasing his tireless efforts along with the support of his wife Savitribai Phule.
The film starts with Jyotiba (Sandeep Kulkarni) and Savitri’s (Rajshri Deshpande) wedding. Jyotiba’s strong will to study compels his father to send him back to school. He joins the Missionary School of Pune along with his friends. Soon the protests of Religion Conversions started in the city but this didn’t stop him from studying.
One day Jyotiba attends the wedding of his Brahmin friend’s brother. There he faces the wrath of other Brahmins who throw him out of the wedding. This particular event ignited a revolution in Jyoti’s mind. Then began the journey of the couple to educate and inspire all the so called lower castes.
The film moves forward with the now adult Jyotiba (Sandeep Kulkarni) and Savitribai (Rajshri Deshpande) setting up a school in Mithganj, Pune. Savitribai teaches widows as Jyotiba and his friends try their hardest to bring in more students. The journey moves along as Jyoti takes leaps forward to reform the society.
You might have heard some of these famous tales of Jyotiba Phule, but putting forward some unheard stories of the legend is the biggest strength of Satyashodhak. The screenplay by Nilesh Jalamkar is quite engaging. His simple and linear approach to the story also works perfectly. Although the slow progression of the film might be a hard pill to digest for many.
Sandeep Kulkarni as Mahatma Phule is sharp and meticulous. He definitely does justice to the legendary Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s valour and dedication. Rajshri Deshpande as Savitribai Phule does well too. Since the story focuses more on Jyoti, her performance as well as her character gets overshadowed. The secondary characters are pretty decent except for a few ordinary performances.
The music by Amitraj is quite ordinary. Only the title track is something worth remembering. The background music works only in parts and is too loud sometimes. The cinematography by Arun Prasad is decent. The VFX is dodgy and feels underworked.
The film puts across its point directly and avoids the overly dramatic route. Satyashodhak sheds light on the lesser known events in the legend’s life quite gracefully. It transcends being a mere biopic, weaving Phule’s life into a captivating reflection on societal norms. While pacing inconsistencies may at times hold back the narrative, “Satyashodhak” ultimately delivers a thought-provoking cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impression.
