The film “Phula” portrays hardships of the Vaghya‑Murali community!

Under the blessings of Khanderaya at Jejuri, the poster of the film was launched at the hands of Prof. Martand Sathe, founding president of the Vaghya‑Murali Parishad, in the presence of the film’s producers, director, cast, and technicians. The film, directed by Abhishek Javeer, will release in cinemas across Maharashtra on 17 April.

“Phula” brings to the big screen an authentic, soil‑of‑Maharashtra tale about the hardships of the Vaghya‑Murali community. The film is produced by Adv. Ajit Shivaji Jadhav, and is presented by ShivSharvil Movie and Bodhi Cinema.

The screenplay is written by Ravikiran Javeer, while music direction is by Samadhan Aivale, a teacher at a Zilla Parishad school in Atpadi village of Sangli district. Creative direction is by Amar Devkar; lyrics are by Ravikiran Javeer and Samadhan Aivale; cinematography by Pratap Joshi; art direction by Atul Lokhande; and editing by Rahul Prajapati. Costumes are by Komal Javeer and Akshata Patil, and makeup by Samadhan Bhore. The songs are sung by Vaishali Samant, Vaishali Made, Rohit Raut, Ravindra Khomne, Vaishali Ingwale, Vaishnavi Adode, and Akash Navgire.

The film features strong performances from a new generation of actors including Priyantika, Aarohi Gadade, Manjusha Khetri, Santosh Shinde, Deva Gadekar, Ravikiran Javeer, Sunny Kadam, Chhaya Adat, and Sharad Landge. The entire shoot and core team are from Atpadi village, and this is their very first feature film. “Phula” is the story of an innocent girl born to a Murali, and her arduous journey. Set against the backdrop of traditional cultural forms like Tamasha troupes and jagran‑gondhal performances, the narrative is rooted in Maharashtra’s folk traditions.

Director #AbhishekJaveer says that “Phula” is not merely the tragedy of a single girl, but a living document of the existence of women artists trapped within Maharashtra’s traditional folk arts. In the Murali tradition, many women never get a real chance at their dreams, rights, love, or a life of dignity; society consumes their art but denies them a humane existence. The film attempts to portray this reality with honesty.

By Keerti Kadam