Cast: Akshay kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Direction:  R. Balki

Producer: Twinkle Khanna, SPE Films India, KriArj Entertainment, Cape of Good Films, Hope Productions

Writer: R. Balki

Genre:  Biography

Duration: 140 Min

PadMan is based off the life of Arunachalam Murugananthan who is commonly known as the Menstrual Man of India. The movie is directed by R. Balki and Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte star in it. I was really surprised by the fact that the trailers, for a wonder didn’t give away the actual complications and tribulations that the lead goes through. Akshay Kumar is widely known as the epitome of masculinity and watching him break those perceptions by wearing a sanitary pad is literally breathtaking. On the surface the film might seem like a very lighthearted movie but it’s truly a very insightful and necessary film for present times.

The scenes that stole the show were the invention of the low-cost Pad-making machine. Radhika Apte is surely a force to be reckoned with. Her performance in this film is award worthy. Akshay too doesn’t fall far behind. His performance as a passionate yet simple-minded innovator is a sure heart stealer. The Sonam and Akshay love dynamic gave the film quite the much-needed masala in my opinion. This unconventional superhero has something that many other superheroes don’t, heart.

 

The movie touches on sensitive topics like religion and why women are not allowed to sleep on the same bed as their husbands during menstruation. The whole illogical idea of why people don’t talk about it and why it’s taboo till date is questioned in a very smart manner. The movie surehly strives to break age-old mindsets and norms. It’s the deep analytical approach to menstruation that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. I really do hope it succeeds in planting the seed.  

The Direction, character development and storytelling are fascinating. R. Balki was the perfect choice for directing this tale. Making a change in a vast and diverse country like India is a daunting task. It’s nice to know that Bollywood is making real films about real people. PadMan is a great family movie and a better Bollywood movie. I hope Bollywood pumps out more movies like this.