Prolific Bollywood star-hero Akshay Kumar’s exemplary dedication towards the social causes for which he is a ‘crusader’, is indeed commendable. Generally, once a movie releases, the lead actors rarely take extra-initiatives to hype their film. But Kumar who still continues to publicise his latest maverick yet popular movie ‘Padman’, with passionate fervour, is peeved over prevailing social taboos.
Storms Akshay, “Although our film ‘PadMan’ directed by R.Balki, has been highly appreciated, it is very upsetting to know that in certain parts of Northern India, men are not allowing their wives, sisters and daughters to go and watch this movie. Even as of now, around 82 per cent females in India do not use ‘pads’. Our whole idea was to break the existing ‘taboo’ and make people realise that that there is nothing wrong in talking about menstruation or openly buying a pad of sanitary napkins from a neighbourhood shop. It’s a recurring natural process and nothing to feel ashamed of,” he shrugs.
Like a thunderbolt of vital support, comes the follow-up from international Samaritans. Shares the macho ‘Khiladi’ Kumar, “The ‘World Bank’ team would be screening this movie in lakhs of villages, pan-India free-of-cost. This would be a phenomenal boost to spread awareness on menstrual hygiene.” What was Akshay’s advice to the women ? “Ideally, the housewife in every up-market family should also include a packet of sanitary napkins along with the monthly salary to their house-maids, in case it is unaffordable for them. Then there are ‘Pad-Banks’ where generous people are donating wads of fresh pad packets,” signs off the National Award winning actor.