PadMan Preview: Akshay Kumar's Back With A Hatke Story

New Delhi: Akshay Kumar's much-anticipated film PadMan will finally release tomorrow. It will also be the 'first Bollywood film that will be releasing on the same day and date in Russia, Ivory Coast and Iraq.' The R Balki-directed film also stars Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte. The film is based on the story of entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham, who invented low-cost sanitary pad making machines. Akshay Kumar plays Mr Muruganantham in the film, while Radhika Apte plays his wife. Sonam Kapoor plays the role of a teacher in the PadMan. The first official trailer of the film was released in last December.

Things to know about PadMan ahead of the release.

Unique Promotion Strategy

Just like the film's concept, the promotional strategy for PadMan was equally unique. At the grand finale of Bigg Boss 11, Akshay Kumar on national television showed the process of making low-cost sanitary napkin from scratch. He even asked Salman Khan to join him in making a pad. They used a miniature version of the original pad-making machine, which was created Mr Muruganantham.

The Global Talk

Twinkle Khanna, who turned producer with PadMan, spoke about the social initiative that she and her team had taken through their film to break the taboo of 'menstrual discussion' in India. Speaking about the film, she said at the Oxford Union, "PadMan is not just a film, it's a movement. I hope now woman will not be held back or embarrassed by their biology."



'Padman Challenge'

Mr. Muruganantham initiated the 'PadMan Challenge' across the country to tell people that 'there's nothing to be ashamed about periods.' In the PadMan Challenge, celebs posed with a sanitary pad in hand and to tell people 'that there's nothing to be ashamed about periods.' "Yes that's a pad in my hand. There's nothing to be ashamed of. It's natural, Period." Many celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte, Twinkle Khanna and others took up the 'challenge.'

Take a look at some of their posts:
 

Thank you @mrsfunnybones
Yes, that's a Pad in my hand & there's nothing to be ashamed about. It's natural! Period. #PadManChallenge. Copy, Paste this & Challenge your friends to take a photo with a Pad. Here I am Challenging @SrBachchan , @iamsrk & @BeingSalmanKhan pic.twitter.com/lY7DEevDmD

— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) February 2, 2018

 

 

Thank you for tagging me @akshaykumar ! Yes, that's a Pad in my hand & there's nothing to be ashamed about...It's natural! Period. #PadManChallenge Copy, Paste this & Challenge your friends to take a photo with a Pad! Here I am challenging Badminton Champion & Olympic Medal Winner @pvsindhu1

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:18am PST

 

Just hanging around in the gym.. with a pad :) no biggie! Thank you @akshaykumar for the challenge.. I shall challenge my fellow gym-ers @YasminBodyImage @Sophie_Choudry & @impoornapatel #PadManChallenge pic.twitter.com/xHLaSwt39Q

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) February 2, 2018

Initial Reactions For PadMan

Bollywood has given a thumbs up to the film. "Incredibly courageous", "It's a winner all the way!" and "#Padman is a very important film for us," were some of the reaction from celebrities, who've already watched the film at the recently held screening.

Take a look at Bollywood's reaction to PadMan
 

#Padman is a very important film for us. @akshaykumar is one of the most special actors we have. @radhika_apte is earthy. @sonamakapoor is spunky. Kudos @mrsfunnybones! Watch it and get inspired.

— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) February 8, 2018

 

When a film, besides entertaining, empowers & creates awareness.. its a winner all the way! #Padman is just that. It's brave & not preachy. An absolute must watch!

Congratulations #RBalki, @mrsfunnybones @akshaykumar @sonamakapoor @radhika_apte @swanandkirkire @gauris @kriarj

— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) February 8, 2018

 

Incredibly courageous !!! Totally bowled over #PadMan .. this enduring story will touch your hearts & will you inspired ! Respect & kudos to the entire team @akshaykumar @kriarj @mrsfunnybones #RBalki @radhika_apte @sonamakapoor & #ArunachalamMuruganantham

— Yami Gautam (@yamigautam) February 7, 2018

The film was initially scheduled to release on January 25, along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat". But, later the release date was shifted over a request from Mr Bhansali. "He (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) has gone through a lot. It is essential for them to release the film at this time, their stakes are higher than mine," Akshay said at the press conference.