It is sometimes difficult to reckon with the violent nature of certain stories. In Phoolan, written by Richie Mehta and Anu Singh, we see the journey of Phoolan Devi, a poor girl who falls victim to sexual violence and discrimination due to her caste and corruption, ultimately leading her to become an armed outlaw. Played by Sneha Kumari, Phoolan begins the film in the middle of a police mission. It shows the chase of her gang with flashbacks showing her life. She is being chased by thousands of armed men, and we witness the intense battle between her and the system that created her enemy.

Kumari plays Phoolan incredibly well. Throughout the film, we can see her determination and strength. The film clearly shows how little protection she receives from others. Phoolan was born into poverty, seeing her family lose land to more powerful family members. She tried to fight for her family, but they were abused even more. She was married at a young age (11) and was raped by her husband. Whilst this is a tough scene to watch, it helps us understand why she ultimately rejected the social system.

Courtesy of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios

The film explores caste discrimination and misogyny delicately. We do not see Phoolan as a victim of one evil person. She is part of a family living in a society where the wealthy and those of high caste have their complaints heard. The authorities often take the side of those who have power. When the police get involved, there isn’t much comfort. There is corruption and brutality throughout the chase. Although there is a character, played by Anurag Thakur, who has a stronger sense of morality, the film does not explore this much.

The thriller elements add to the immediacy of these ideas. We witness the chase of Phoolan’s gang, betrayal that leads to knowing where they are and the increasing danger of the siege. Mehta uses flashbacks to slowly show us Phoolan’s experiences that led to her changing. This adds more meaning to the current situation. Phoolan’s rebellious actions are brutal, but we aren’t asked to forget the violence she has done. We are challenged to think about what justice really means in a society where she wouldn’t have access to the legal system. Although her actions are morally complex, her reasons for rebelling are incredibly relatable.

Courtesy of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios

Overall, the supporting characters in the film aren’t explored as much as Phoolan. They often play a role to show another aspect of cruelty, corruption or rebellion. This is especially evident during the police mission. The pacing is inconsistent. The film jumps between Phoolan’s past and the current danger. Some scenes have big revelations, whilst others feel like we are waiting for the next big confrontation.

Phoolan is a powerful story about a woman forced to rebel due to her society not giving her dignity and control. Kumari provides an emotional centre to the film; even if it doesn’t provide easy answers, this makes the rebellious nature of the story even more captivating.

Phoolan held its World Premiere as part of the Special Presentations section at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Director: Richie Mehta

Screenwriters: Richie Mehta, Anu Singh

Rated: NR

Runtime: 113m

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