“Why can’t we educated people start talking about menstruation and menstrual hygiene?” Asks Radhika Apte in an Indus Age exclusive

Based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham the first man to wear sanitary napkin, PadMan takes a strong stand against menstrual taboo.

Starring Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte ans Sonam Kapoor, the film is slated to release this February. Ahead of its release Radhika Apte who plays Akki’s wife in the film shared her PadMan experience in an exclusive interview with Nidhi Kumari of Indus Age. Excerpts:

Radhika tell us how ‘PadMan’ was offered to you and how you agreed to do it?

1. Balki called me and narrated the script and I agreed instantly because A-it was Balki and Akshay and it was such an inspiring story that I wanted to do it and also he told me that the character is exactly opposite to who I am that was a very good challenge for me.

You are known to always re-invent yourself with regional, commercial and short films, doing characters which are unique…In PadMan also you are seen in different avatar…What do you have to say on that?

Just that it’s the actor’s job to do different kinds of films, not be repetitive, find and create more characters, make them alive..its part of the job that you do various kinds of roles.

PadMan deals with the stigma around menstrual hygiene…have you ever faced any stigma regarding this issue?

Well, not in my house but sometimes in other people’s house, yes.  Like with some friends in school or college, the mother would not allow them to come into the kitchen when they had their periods and I found that very odd as it was not a stigma in my house. 

Tell us about your character in the film.

She’s a very ordinary woman who is in love with her husband and wants the best for him. Exactly the way that he wants the best for her. And he wants the best for her which is why he’s making the sanitary napkin. So, if they both come with the same intention but there is a conflict, and then you will see what happens.

How was it working with R.Balki, who is known for making different kinds of films?

Great, as he’s a very sensitive director, he’s a feminist that was really amazing and he has handled this issue with such care that he’s made it into a complete entertainer so that the people who really have difficulty in talking about menstrual hygiene and have been a victim of taboo and the whole society’s pressure can actually watch it and relate to it rather than feel uncomfortable.

Tell us something about collaborating with Akshay Kumar? Your experience; if there’s anything that you learnt from them?

You learn a lot. I can’t say just one thing. He has huge experience, having done all kinds of films. He’s very spontaneous, he improvises a lot.  He’s very fresh, disciplined.

If I have to say one thing, my God, Akshay Kumar is so disciplined. He works all the time and inspite of that he would wake up at 4 and do his workout and be there on time. That’s commendable. 

Any special memory/ies during the shoot of the film:

It was such a beautiful place where we were staying . After the shoot we used to have lunch and dinner together because it was a resort where there was no room service so we all used to come together and eat together. It was good because after you’ve worked the whole day you come and talk about it and also discuss the scenes for the next day, I really liked that.

What makes PadMan special to you?

That it’s a true story and also that it’s something very personal to me, menstrual hygiene. It should be talked about and the awareness should be spread. Such an inspiring story should be told. When a man at this rural village can have this vision why can’t we educated people start talking about menstruation and menstrual hygiene?

What message would you like to give to your fans in Australia?

Go watch this film with your family, as we care for them and their health. I think the best way is to watch this film together as it is going to be so entertaining. I hope you enjoy!

(Interview courtesy: Mindblowing films)