Phullu

Phullu is a thought-provoking and socially relevant 2017 Bollywood drama with a comedic undertone, directed by Abhishek Saxena and starring Sharib Hashmi, Jyoti Sethi, and Nutan Surya. The film is a distinct narrative amid mainstream Bollywood movies, clearly steering away from clichéd love stories and action-packed sequences.

Phullu, played by Sharib Hashmi, is a simple, good-hearted yet uneducated man living in a remote village in India. He is constantly curious about the world outside his locale, and irrevocably dedicated to the welfare of his community. In a society that is aware but often ignorant towards menstrual hygiene, Phullu takes it upon himself to eradicate this taboo and promote menstrual awareness and feminine health in his village, largely dominated by close-minded individuals.

This film bravely challenges societal norms and beautifully weaves the narrative around the central character, Phullu, a man well known in his village for his inquisitive nature. His mother is his world, and the sudden realization that the women of his village, including his mother, are subjected to degrading situations during their menstrual cycle strikes a deep emotional chord in him. His mission becomes clear and deeply personal: to provide every woman in his village with sanitary pads, bring awareness and understanding of menstrual hygiene, and advocate for women's health and dignity.

Sharib Hashmi delivers a compelling performance as the titular character. He portrayals Phullu with an earnestness and innocence that truly encapsulates his character's spirit. Equally impressive is Jyoti Sethi, who plays Phullu's wife. She is a beacon of support for her husband and embodies the realistic portrayal of an Indian village woman. Nutan Surya does justice to her role as Phullu's concerned but loving and understanding mother.

The back-and-forth chemistry between Sharib Hashmi and Jyoti Sethi carries the screenplay forward. They touchingly reflect the crudeness and sweetness of a rural couple, bound by their deep love and their shared responsibility towards their community. Their charming relationship further adds depth and emotion to Phullu's narrative.

Abhishek Saxena manages to beautifully direct this uncouth yet imperative subject matter into a palatable film. The narrative does not overly dramatize the situations but focuses on the grounded reality of the issues at hand. Saxena's film spreads the message beyond the cinema, seeping through the celluloid screen and into audience's hearts, making them ponder over the unjust prejudices women have to face in real life.

The cinematography of this movie beautifully captures the rustic rural vibe of the village. The combination of close-ups and wide shots, the color palette accentuating the rural landscape, and the dingy underlit interiors create an immersive and authentic experience for the audience.

The music, composed by Troy Arif and Vikram Sharma, further enhances the feel of the movie. The songs like "Bhunoor Bhunoor", while they reflect the simplicity and innocence of the setting, also beautifully narrates the protagonist’s journey. Background score subtly supports the narrative without becoming overbearing.

The subject matter of 'Phullu' makes it a film of importance. The movie conclusively states that menstrual hygiene is not just a woman's issue but a concern for humanity. It is a remarkable silver screen attempt at anomaly correction, bringing into the limelight an issue that has been, for too long, masked under the veils of unspeakable words and actions.

In a nutshell, Phullu is an intelligent and audacious effort to bring dialogues about menstrual hygiene to the mainstream. It is beautifully penned, acted, and directed, provoking thoughts and encouraging discussions around a subject generally considered taboo.

It tells us that for change to occur, one needs not to be a superhero but an everyday person like Phullu who exhibits the spirit to question the norms and the heart to stand up against it, even if it means standing alone.

Phullu is a must-watch for those craving for a film with a solid storyline, convincing performances, and an essence that leaves you introspecting long after the credits roll. It may not be your casual fun-filled Bollywood entertainer, but it's a raw, profound, and necessary film that will touch your heart in unexpected ways. It's a humble representation of an everyday hero in our societies that often go unnoticed. It's a tribute to their courage, resilience, and their extraordinary love for humanity.

Phullu shines a light on the feminine health issues and the stigma associated with it in rural India and is an educative and transformative journey, both for the characters within the film and the audience watching it.