Akshay Kumar on PadMan success: Nobody is interested in speeches or documentaries

Insisting that his sole aim is to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene, Akshay Kumar says entertainment is the best way to spread social messages.

He started his career with action-oriented roles, but in the recent years Akshay Kumar has made a point to pick films which convey a social message as the actor believes cinema has the power to create awareness. The actor has expressed hopes to create awareness about menstrual hygiene with his latest release PadMan. The film has collected Rs 68.12 crore in eight days of the release.

Akshay Kumar poses for a picture during the inauguration of a sanitary napkin automatic vending machine and the promotion of PadMan at Bus ST Depo, in Mumbai. (AFP)

“Nobody is interested in listening to speeches or watching documentaries. They are more interested in knowing about a subject through films. People have watched Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and the have understood the importance of toilets and not defecating in the open. Entertainment is the best way to spread social message,” Akshay said.

The 50-year-old actor said education also plays an important role in creating awareness. “Menstrual hygiene should be part of educational system. There is never a thing on menstruation. Even if there is something on the subject, it is only for girls. That is the worst part. Even boys should be included in this conversation on menstruation,” he added.

PadMan hit the cinemas on February 9 but Akshay wants to continue the promotions. He installed a sanitary pad vending machine at ST bus depot in Mumbai Central. Akshay said he decided to do the R Balki-directed film as he wanted to break the taboo attached with periods. “The idea was to break the taboo and there is nothing wrong in it. There is nothing wrong in talking about menstruation and I just want people to come and watch the film,” he added.

The actor said that the World Bank is set to screen the film in 6,42,000 villages across India free of cost. PadMan, which is based on the life of Tamil Nadu-based social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, also features Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor.

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