Watch Pad Man

Pad Man is a 2018 Indian comedy-drama film based on the real-life story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu who revolutionized menstrual hygiene in rural India by inventing a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine. Directed by R. Balki, the film stars Akshay Kumar as the titular character, Radhika Apte as his wife, and Sonam Kapoor as a social worker who helps him spread awareness about menstrual health.

The movie begins in a small village in Madhya Pradesh where Lakshmikant Chauhan (Akshay Kumar) is a happy-go-lucky welder who dreams of making a difference in the world. One day, he becomes aware of the conundrum that women face during their periods due to the lack of proper sanitary napkins. He is shocked to know how women are forced to use old rags or leaves as they cannot afford expensive pads, and worse still, suffer in silence due to the taboo attached to menstruation. This realization makes him determined to make affordable sanitary pads accessible to every woman in India.

However, his attempts to make the pads, using cotton and other materials, prove to be a dismal failure. His family and neighbours ridicule him, and his wife Gayatri (Radhika Apte) is embarrassed by his obsession. But undeterred by this and with the support of his wife and a few well-wishers, Lakshmikant sets out on a journey to create a new type of pad that is affordable, hygienic, and easy to use. He studies the anatomy of the female body and experiments with various materials, including his own blood, to design a perfect sanitary pad. The process is painful, but Lakshmikant's passion keeps him going.

The journey to create the pads is not easy, but Lakshmikant perseveres, and he finally succeeds in creating a low-cost machine that can make high-quality sanitary pads. However, spreading the awareness of menstrual hygiene is whole another challenge. The villagers still continue to see menstruation and sanitary pads as a source of shame, with many women still using old rags and clothes. Lakshmikant then meets Pari (Sonam Kapoor), a young social worker, who supports his cause and helps him spread awareness about menstrual hygiene. Together, they make it their mission to challenge the taboo and educate people about the importance of sanitary pads.

The film is packed with emotions, humour and showcases the courage of a man who battles social stigma and fights for a noble cause. The movie brilliantly puts forward the struggles that rural women face during menstruation and how it impacts their daily lives. It highlights the importance of menstrual hygiene and the need to provide affordable and accessible sanitary pads to women so that they can lead a healthy and dignified life. The movie also talks about the importance of raising awareness about menstruation and ending the taboo surrounding it.

The performances from the actors are commendable, and they do justice to their respective characters. Akshay Kumar is flawless as the determined Pad Man, who believes that breaking the taboo around menstruation will lead to a better society. Radhika Apte, as Lakshmikant's wife, portrays the dilemma faced by many women who do not have the luxury of choice. Sonam Kapoor as Pari, brings in the needed freshness and charm in the story. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances.

In conclusion, Pad Man is a thought-provoking film that will leave a lasting impact on the audience. Balki deserves credit for taking a subject that is considered taboo in most Indian households and presenting it on the big screen in an entertaining, informative and humourous way. The film not only educates its audience but also makes one question the age-old norms and taboo related to menstruation. A highly recommended movie that is a must-watch for everyone.

Pad Man is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.