PADMAN
Only 12% of India’s women population use sanitary pads. Such shocking numbers this! Akshay Kumar after the socially relevant Toilet-Ek Prem Katha, yet again brings another socially relevant movie Pad Man this week. It is successful in proving its point…lets find out.
Based on an inspiring true story of the Padma Shri awardee Arunachalam Muruganatham, Pad Man follows the story of Lakshmi(Akshay Kumar) who cares for the women in his house and wants them to start using sanitary pads. While cost is an issue, he starts hand making them. And this begins his journey of obstacles! The story is really inspiring! The issue is introduced within the first few minutes unlike ‘Toilet’ which had a seemingly long love story before the actual issue was addressed! The screenplay though blows hot and cold with the first half following a flat trajectory though the pace picks up in the second half culminating in a heartening speech at the UN. I am willing to forgo this little flaw because of the subject. The music by Amit Trivedi is good. The dialogues are relevant. R Balki, known for picking up rather fresh subjects, does a fair job as the director but doesn’t quite nail it.
Sonam Kapoor as Pari has done a sharp job. The underrated Radhika Apte is yet again in fine form here and is probably the best actor on display here. The ever-smiling Akshay Kumar as our new superhero has done a swell job yet again. The roles he is choosing is really refreshing and a cue for his peers. All other performances are on point.
On the whole, despite its flaws, Pad Man is a relevant movie and deserves to be watched especially by all men which would help them understand the women around them better! Also it would help spread awareness among women. Period!