80. Padman; movie review

PADMAN
Cert 12A
140 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate injury detail

You have to hand it to Akshay Kumar - he might be one of the world's best-paid actors but he still makes sure that he spreads a social conscience.
Therefore, on top of his very straightforwardly named Toilet, which highlighted the need for Indian villages to accept lavatories in their homes, he addresses an equally controversial subject with Padman.
I suspect that it is because it is about menstrual hygiene that box office takings have only been moderate but hope that word of mouth helps make it the success it deserves to be.
Padman is not a lecture. It is an inspirational and funny movie but it does convey a very important message - that health of women is far more important that the perceived shame over discussing their periods.
But, sadly, I can imagine that traditional families will be avoiding it.
Indeed, it has been banned in Pakistan where the Central Board of Film Censors said: "We cannot allow a film whose name, subject and story are not yet acceptable in our society."
Ah, the word "yet" - only three letters long but it is crucial to the central story of R. Balki's film.
This is a movie about people being stuck in time even if they know moving on could save their own lives as well as those of their relatives and friends.
Kumar plays Lakshmi, a devoted husband who is appalled that his new wife (Radhika Apte) should literally be sent to the balcony of the family home during her period and use a dirty rag to stem the blood flow.
It transpires that, as recently as 20 years ago, women in India could not afford the extortionate price of sanitary pads.
Thus, it becomes the obsession of Lakshmi, to invent a cheaper version.
And this is the focus of his story which becomes one of frustration, shame and the never-say-die spirit of a well-meaning man.
I was surprised that a movie about sanitary pads could run the gamut of emotions from tear-inducing sadness to laugh-out-loud funny and, finally, joy.
In my opinion, Kumar succeeds where Salman Khan and even SRK have lost his way, playing roles which are appropriate to his age (although his wife is much younger).
He gives a great zest to the Lakshmi role, refusing to be out off by the chains of tradition.
Meanwhile, Apte is perfect as a horrified but devoted spouse and Sonam Kapoor adds the strand of liberation which Lakshmi's project needs.
Padman prompted laughter in the audience but has a vital social message. It is another high-quality Bollywood movie.

Reasons to watch: important but emotional story with a fair few laughs
Reasons to avoid: the subject matter has courted controversy

Laughs: five
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8/10

Director quote - R. Balki: " The film is supposed to start a conversation but it is an Akshay Kumar film. It is a mainstream film, so the entertainment quotient is key.


The big question - Why, in one of the burgeoning economies, are such basic needs ignored?

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