Pad Man (2018)

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

A lot of fun.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

For the most part a true tale w/a bit of Indian movie dramatization (i.e. a couple of song/dances; a romantic moment), about the use of female sanitary pads in India. Your first inclination on viewing this story is another boring Indian family going through issues. Wrong! When you begin to discover it's about males dealing w/the female menstrual period which is culturally an extreme no-no; it starts to get interesting, eventually really interesting. Background: At the time this story begins, the 1990s, only about 12% of Indian women used a "sanitary" pad, the rest you ask? Newspapers, leaves, and a continually reused rag washed most likely in unsanitary H2O. So, a husband buys pads for 55 Rupees which the wife refuses to use in part because their high cost is beyond their low income level. The husband as a low education, hands-on laborer, decides to make some for his wife. That's when the fireworks begins. The subject is a culturally stigmatized superstitious taboo - mildly put. He's shamed, ostracized beyond belief as he asks questions, and researches. His goal is to build a machine to make them for 2 Rupees all "for the safety of women". Read only after seeing: It took him six years. Introduced his low cost pad maker to thousands of villages. Hired abused, cast out, unemployed women (many beggars, prostitutes) to make & distribute the pads. Has exported his machine to 29 poor countries. Named Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People" in the world. Guest speaker at the UN & TED.

Here also the subject is important in the bigoted Indian society but the execution is just ok. The film lacks proper focus and the issue is still not addressed properly keeping it taboo and only reachable to an extent. The narrative is not at all consistent and the first half drags so much without making any point. But the subject and its reality are so powerful that when the film works it hits them hard. How the society reacts at each point just makes me ashamed of my country and even though I haven't directly seen such situations or people I can't deny the probability of such occurrences. Even though the subject is kind of approached superficially the importance and social effect of the film that can be felt through some of the moments in the film make it worth it.

Here also the subject is important in the bigoted Indian society but the execution is just ok. The film lacks proper focus and the issue is still not addressed properly keeping it taboo and only reachable to an extent. The narrative is not at all consistent and the first half drags so much without making any point. But the subject and its reality are so powerful that when the film works it hits them hard. How the society reacts at each point just makes me ashamed of my country and even though I haven't directly seen such situations or people I can't deny the probability of such occurrences. Even though the subject is kind of approached superficially the importance and social effect of the film that can be felt through some of the moments in the film make it worth it.

PADMAN, the movie full of motivation, is about India's one of the real Superhero. Necessity is the mother of innovation is said somewhere, here it is implemented. Padman is a movie which has romance, comedy, serious as well as heart touching moments distributed equally. This is a brave topic to come up with so hats off to Twinkle Khanna, R Balki and the entire team. Special hats off to Mr. Arunachalam Murugnatham for his extraordinary contribution to the society.The film has many moments which make us laugh naturally and its not forced humor. Chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Radhika Apte is also good. The problem of unhygienic sanitation habit is shown in a bold way and its seriousness can be felt while watching the film. The film has some emotional moments when Padman fails as well as when Padman comes to know that his first Pad which was tested was successful. Best part of the movie includes the scene before interval which reminds of Toilet Ek Prem Katha scene. Mr. Arunachalam is given perfect tribute also in the starting credits as well as in the end which is a good part. The machine making is shown which is a very good part. BGM is very nice. Music of the film is fairly well and justified. Flaws in the film, I found 2 flaws. This film is spanned over some 8-10 years they could have shown some age difference in the looks of the characters it felt as if everything is happening in the span of 1-2 years only. 2nd flaw is the romantic angle in the later part of the film could have been avoided nevertheless it was also justified but it was looking like extra part in the film.Talking about the performances, Akshay Kumar as Lakshmikant Chauhan is fantabulous, one of the best performance of his career. Its another feather to his collection and it should not be a surprise if this act is considered for a national award. He has nailed it in every scene may it be demonstration of his machine or monologue in the end or testing pad on himself or making of the machine. Radhika Apte, has given amazing performance, she is having some amazing emotional scenes and she has performed beautifully. She perfectly suits in a village woman role with a narrow minded thinking. Sonam Kapoor as Pari has her moments in the film. She is the hero along with Lakshmikant. She has some amazing dialogues in her account. Other performances of Lakshmi's mother and sisters as well as 2 friends and Pari's father are also remarkable. And then there is the one and only Amitabh Bachchan, R Balki's favourite in the special appearance. Its just 2-3 minutes role but he stole the show in his own style. Amazing dialogues by him in just those 2-3 minutes. There are some clap worthy and whistle-able scenes too. R Balki's direction is classic. This is his personal best along with Paa. The camerawork is awesome. Locations in the film are not much important according to film but still Maheshwar is beautiful and it captures true village environment. Editing could have been a bit better but its good there is no unnecessary nuisance in the film.Overall the film is enjoyable, entertaining yet giving a very strong message and motivation. There is no logical error in the film as a normal audience and there is no scene which makes family audience feel awkward. There is no boring moment in the film which makes us feel that when is it ending. Its a motivating film after Dangal. Please don't miss it as we don't have many good movies coming every year.