New Delhi, Feb 7 (UNI) The 'Khiladi' of Bollywood Akshay Kumar who is all geared up for the release of his upcoming biopic 'Pad Man' said he hopes the film will be successful in bringing changes in our society.

Akshay who was in the national capital to promote his movie 'Pad Man' based on the real story of Arunachalam Muruganatham along with his wife Twinkle Khanna, said,'I feel like, after the release of this movie, there will be no hesitation in people about this biological cycle. I hope this film will be successful to bring changes in society.'

'People should be aware of this natural cycle. In India, 82 per cent of ladies don’t use pads, I am sure and very much confident that there will be a good change in people after watching this film,' he said.

'I would also request our government to make sanitary napkins free of cost in rural areas in our country,' Akshay said.

Twinkle Khanna who is also the producer of the film said, 'My biggest contribution to the film is that it took me nine months to convince Muruganantham to make a film on his life. I could have given a birth to third child in that period!"

'It’s a strong film, and I will congratulate the director of the film R Balki for making this happen for us,' Twinkle said.

Asked about her preparations to make a film on Muruganantham's story, Twinkle said, "I was doing some research on menstruation and I came across Muruganantham's story and it immediately gripped me as it was incredible.'

'There were three parts to the story - one was about a man deciding to do something for his wife which later became a larger movement. The other one was about innovation, about a man who was not limited by his educational qualifications or lack of proficiency in English and he went on to become an innovator. His was the most interesting story I ever come across, so that's how it began. We tracked him down and asked him if I could write about his story in my book and we eventually decided to make Pad Man. Even if we want to give a message through the film, we have to make it entertaining, because if it will not interest people, they are not going to watch it,' she said.

Muruganantham also known as "India's Menstrual Man" who was present at the event said, "I never thought someone would make a film on my story. Wherever I went and spoke about menstrual hygiene, I was beaten up by people. I used to cover my cheeks with both my hands whenever I went to speak on the subject, so how could I ever imagine that someone would make a film on such a topic?"

Muruganantham, the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad making machine in India, was also the one who came up with the #PadmanChallenge.

"I wanted to start this challenge to create awareness on menstrual hygiene. Why should only women talk about it? I wanted men - every father, brother and uncle - to talk and know about it. There should be awareness on menstrual hygiene among men as well," he said.

Akshay who has been doing movies on socially relevant topics like he did 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' said he always wanted to do films on such social issues, but it is only now that he's actually making films like these.

"When I did 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', people asked me if I was stressed over it, thinking if people would come to watch a film on such a topic, but people watched and liked the movie. I am confident that this film will bring about a lot of change. I have also noticed that on social media, not only women, but men are also talking about menstrual hygiene. When has it ever happened before? Even Hollywood hasn't made a film on such a topic. There have only been documentaries. It is for the first time that we have made an entertaining, commercial film that comes with an important message," said Akshay.

Twinkle said women should not use menstruation as an excuse to go on a leave.

"I was a part of a show wherein a lady said she runs more when she is on her period so that no one can tell her to sit at home because she is weak," she said.

"A lot of people think women should stay at home, so why give them an excuse to stop women from doing anything. If there is too much pain, then one can take an off just like they do for any other sickness like a stomach ache. Women should not make period a reason to take a leave," Twinkle added.

Twinkle hopes that the film will bring a change the way India looks at the topic of menstruation.

"It is an entertaining film, and people will not feel uncomfortable while watch it with their families,' she said.

The film is based on a short story from Twinkle Khanna’s book "The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad" which is inspired from the life of Muruganantham, a Tamil Nadu-based social activist who revolutionised the concept of menstrual hygiene in rural India by creating a low-cost sanitary napkins machine.

"Pad Man" stars Akshay Kumar as Muruganantham, while Radhika Apte plays his wife.

Actor Sonam Kapoor will also be seen in a special role in the movie, which is being directed by R Balki.

The film is slated to release on February 9.

UNI PY SHK 1549