KATHMANDU, Feb12: People usually assume it’s a sci-fi or superhero movie if the lead character’s title entails man, like superman, batman and ironman among others. Nevertheless, Bollywood movie ‘Padman’ is a social drama and unlike any other Bollywood masala movies. Protagonist of the movie, Akshay Kumar, as Lashmikant Chauhan might not be a super hero in the film, but he is no less than one as he alone revolts with his family as well as community against their stereotypical mentality. 

The film is based on unhygienic practice during menstruation, regarded as a taboo in many parts of the world, and various superstitions related to period. The movie depicts the real life story of an indifferent man Arunachalam Muruganantham who invented a hand-made low cost sanitary pad making machine for underprivileged people. 

The plot is simple in linear order where director R Balki has successfully raised awareness about menstrual hygiene and has appealed women to use sanitary pads instead of dirty rags during menstruation. Similarly, the movie has also hit humorous satire against the discriminatory and conservative practices against bleeding women. 

‘Pad Man’ is a must watch to gain some insight, especially in the Nepali context where menstruating women are still considered as impure and untouchables.

Genre: Biopic and Social Drama
Director: R Balki
Starting: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte, Sonam Kapoor