Radhika Apte on 'Pad Man': The aim is to make people talk about menstrual hygiene

Radhika Apte, who plays Akshay Kumar’s wife in Pad Man, credits director R Balki for handling the subject of menstrual hygiene in an entertaining and sensitive manner. The film is based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham (played by Akshay), who manufactured a low-cost machine for sanitary napkins in rural India. Speaking about the socially-relevant movie, she says, “It is a relatable film. I hope people will connect with it emotionally. We have made it with a lot of thought and emotion. The aim is not to bring about a revolution but to make people openly talk about it.”

The actress is vocal about the need to educate people about hygiene of women and the problems they face to get basic facilities. “Women’s hygiene is important. Whenever an advertisement of sanitary pads comes on television, people stop looking at it. This attitude needs to change,” she feels.

Radhika says she met Muruganantham’s wife only after the shooting as she wanted to approach the character with a fresh perspective. She adds, “I was aware of the story. When you are making a film, you make certain changes as real life and cinema are not the same. I like the innocence and simplicity in her, which we have retained in the story.”

About her co-star Akshay, Radhika says that he was super punctual and strict about his routine. That is the reason they were able to finish the film on schedule.