Many films about relevant, important subjects are not actually good movies. R Balki’s PadMan, which features an extraordinary true-life story brought to the screen featuring Akshay Kumar is both a strong film and one that needs to be watched

Akshay Kumar’s superhero swoops in and de-stigmatises menstrual hygiene without making the film feel stodgy or heavy handed.

Known for making films that work towards bridging the age and gender gap, Balki’s Padman is an empowering film that gives you the wings, despite the odds. It will free women of their inhibitions and that will be its biggest success. Period!

Balki who is known for turning things on its head has done it again with Pad Man. While the subject itself lends to it, the story telling is what makes the difference. An awkward and taboo subject has been dealt with sensitivity and even humour. However, the film does get preachy at points, and slows it down.

For those who’re thinking if you could connect with the message of Pad Man, trust me you will. Every good thing comes with an expiry date and enjoy this era of Akshay Kumar till it lasts (Hope it’s here for a couple of more decades). The combo of entertainment plus message-driven plot is a rare occurrence and Padman fits the bill.

As India hurtles ahead to match the developed world, it is only logical that her cinema follows suit. Thus, we need more films that send out a strong social message and don’t brush perceived taboos such as mental health, feminine hygiene, and sex education under the carpet.

Do watch this one – it is an interesting story about an incredible man.

…none of those efforts would have had the legs to travel as wide as this Akshay Kumar entertainer (with a lovely soundtrack), spreading a message that is impossible to ignore in a country where, as the film informs us, only 12 per cent women use sanitary napkins at all. The rest simply can’t stay free from likely infections, diseases. So you know where this film is coming from. I’m actually really glad to know where it’s going. Period.

Pad Man deserves a special mention simply because it got made. A subject that’s hushed up even in urban India got a mainstream treatment by a popular actor-director team. And that itself is a reason why a film like this deserves extra attention.

Overall, though entertaining, Padman is like a long-drawn public-service film that’s worth your ticket money.

The focus is clearly the story, or to take it a level further – the invention and the social milieu that called for the invention.

But Akshay Kumar grins, weeps and speaks with a feeling that doesn’t look like it belongs in this film. There’s this one moment where he manages to finally obtain confirmation that he has indeed managed to make a functional sanitary pad, and he’s nothing short of lovable there. It is precisely this lovableness that made us breeze through Padman, and will likely ensure that you do, too.

Kumar’s monologue towards the climax as he talks up his cause at the United Nations in New York puts a smile on your face. It’s Kumar and Apte’s show all the way as they take one for the women’s team. 
Make sure to watch this inspirational film this weekend.

…with the exception of a few sequences, PadMan does a decent job at conveying the importance of sanitary pads for women. And despite being melodramatic it succeeds in telling the all important story of a man who selflessly dedicated his life to ensure a better quality of living for women.

To sum up, Balki’s best directorial since his 2009 “Paa” remains a benchmark in how to make an entertainer with a vital social message. Despite its 2.20 duration, there is not a moment when the film does not keep you involved in what is going on.