Akshay Kumar is on a high even as the first look of PadMan creates a buzz around the film. It’s the first mainstream Hindi film that would talk about menstruation and menstrual health - it revolves around the true story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social entrepreneur and Padma Shri awardee, who revolutionised the production of low-cost sanitary napkins in India.
Akshay Kumar, in an interview to Hindustan Times, spoke about how it is important to initiate a conversation around menstrual health in the public space, irrespective of who got offended.
It’s not about being bold, but about breaking taboos that hold us back ... it is about education... I do not mind who I offend, or whose stomach I may turn by being so bold publicly. This is not the Stone Age, menstruating is natural. If this film can spread awareness about menstruation and menstrual health, I would say I have succeeded in my task.Akshay Kumar, Actor
The actor however, emphasises that PadMan is also an extraordinary human story, where an illiterate man fights against all odds to become an innovator and inventor.
Akshay also admitted that he is looking more and more to make socially relevant films. PadMan, after all, follows Toilet: Ek Prem Katha that revolves around the importance of building toilets in homes.
“I believe it was a conscious decision. There comes a time in one’s life when substance begins to matter more and more. I have established myself enough as an actor to now be able to venture into things that can benefit, as well as entertain people. I will always want to make my audience laugh, but if I can encourage a new mindset, then I believe that’s the best kind of service I can do as an actor.”
PadMan, directed by R Balki, is also Akshay’s wife, actor-turned-author Twinkle Khanna’s debut venture under the Mrs Funnybones production banner. When quizzed about this, Akshay said that Twinkle has been involved with the project from its conceptual stage and she was the reason that he has pushed himself even more for this one.
“I felt even more responsible to deliver my best because she was behind this project. This is her baby right from the concept and she is totally involved all through, right to the marketing of the film. This is something we are doing together for the first time.”
(Source: Hindustan Times)
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