The trailer for the upcoming Marathi film Phula has officially been released, offering a raw and musical look at the life of a young girl dedicated to Lord Khandoba. Set to hit theaters on April 17, 2026, the film explores the complex traditions of Waghya-Murali and the systemic struggles of women within certain folk cultures.
A Story of Tradition and Rejection
Phula follows the journey of an innocent girl married into the service of a deity at a young age—a practice that places her at the center of a cultural tug-of-war. The narrative is woven into the traditional Maharashtrian tapestry of Tamasha Phad, Jagran, and Gondhal. The three-minute trailer opens with a provocative dialogue questioning the “public as God” sentiment, immediately setting a somber and thought-provoking tone.
While the subject matter is undeniably powerful, the trailer has received a polarized response on social media: Some users have expressed disappointment with the technical execution, with one commenter noting, “The story looks good, but the direction and editing don’t feel profound enough.” Others questioned the necessity of bringing such a sensitive and potentially controversial subject to the big screen. While on the other hand, many have praised the film for its courage in tackling a “rejected existence” and highlighting the paradox of how these ancient legacies persist even in an era of rapidly expanding technology and AI.
The film is a grassroots effort by a group of young filmmakers from Atpadi, with much of the shooting taking place in the rural landscapes of Nimbavade. The film’s Director & Writer is Abhishek Javir and it is produced by Wrestler Ajit Shivaji Jadhav, the screenplay comes from Ravikiran Javir. The film features a robust musical score with voices from renowned artists like Vaishali Samant, Vaishali Made, Rohit Raut, and Shreya Ghoshal. The star cast has Priyantika and Aarohi Gadde, supported by Santosh Shinde, Manjusha Khetri, and Deva Gadekar.
By presenting this conflict in a musical format, Phula aims to be an eye-opener regarding the internal struggles of those caught between faith and social exclusion. Whether it will win over the skeptics remains to be seen when it debuts later this month.
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