Watch Menstrual Man

Menstrual Man is a documentary film directed by Amit Virmani that tells the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social entrepreneur from Coimbatore in southern India who revolutionized menstrual hygiene in India by designing and creating low-cost sanitary pad-making machines. The film begins with a scene where Arunachalam Muruganantham is standing in front of a group of people explaining how he came up with the idea of creating low-cost sanitary pads after discovering that his wife was using a rag during her menstruation. He realized that women in rural India were not using sanitary pads because they were too expensive and decided to create a low-cost alternative.

The film takes us through Muruganantham's journey as he works on the design of the sanitary pad-making machine, trying different materials until he finds the right one that is absorbent, comfortable, and affordable. He faces many challenges during this process, including social stigma associated with menstruation, lack of support from his community, and financial constraints.

However, his determination and hard work pay off, and he finally creates a machine that can produce sanitary pads at a low cost. He starts a company called Jayashree Industries and begins manufacturing and selling the machines to women entrepreneurs across India, helping them set up their own small businesses and providing a low-cost solution for menstrual hygiene.

The film also explores the broader issue of menstrual hygiene in India, highlighting the lack of education and awareness around menstruation, and the social taboo associated with it. The film portrays how menstruation is still considered a taboo subject, and many women in rural India have limited access to menstrual hygiene products due to traditional beliefs, lack of education, and financial constraints.

Through Muruganantham's story, the film brings attention to the issue of menstrual hygiene and the need for affordable and accessible menstrual products. It also highlights the role of social entrepreneurship in addressing social issues and promoting social change.

The film features interviews with Muruganantham and his family, women entrepreneurs who have set up their own businesses using the machines, NGOs, and health experts who discuss the importance of menstrual hygiene and the impact of Muruganantham's innovation.

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is Muruganantham's own story, his humble beginnings as a school dropout, his struggles and sacrifices to make his dream a reality, and his perseverance in the face of adversity. He is portrayed as a hero who has dedicated his life to a cause that is often overlooked and marginalized.

The film also explores the gender dynamics in India, portraying Muruganantham as a supportive husband who encourages his wife to pursue her dreams and aspirations, despite the social norms that limit women's opportunities.

Overall, Menstrual Man is a powerful and inspiring documentary that sheds light on an important social issue and highlights the role of social entrepreneurship in addressing such issues. It is a compelling story of one man's determination to make a difference and change the lives of millions of women in India.

Menstrual Man is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.