Malala Yousafzai has praised Akshay Kumar’s filmĀ PadMan, about menstrual hygiene, saying it imparts an “inspiring” message. The Bollywood star wasĀ invited to talkĀ at Oxford University’s debate society The Oxford Union on her upcoming film. She addressed the need to spotlight issues relating to menstrual hygiene in order to tackle the taboos and break down the stigma attached to periods globally. Twinkle said, “I hope this movie becomes a movement: where women are no longer held back or shamed by their biological functions.” The actor also had a discussion with Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai onĀ PadmanĀ and menstrual hygiene.
Twinkle engaged the audience by explaining why the world needs to know about the story and the importance of spotlighting issues relating to menstrual hygiene.
“My primary motivation to make a movie on menstruation was to bring awareness to a subject that so far has been tucked away in shadows and like Voldemort is never mentioned”, Twinkle said. She complained that Indian school girls in villages have to sit with a rag cloth or a rolled up sock or even wadded up newspaper between their legs.
Touted as the worldās first feature film on menstrual hygiene,Ā PadmanĀ hopes to initiate the conversation about menstruation to end the taboo surrounding it.
“I would say failure has been my role model. Every time there was an obstacle in my life, I examined it, and invariably it taught me something about myself or the world around me that I didn’t know. To not be afraid to keep leaping is what I’ve always believed in.” said twinkle.
PadmanĀ stars Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte in lead roles. It is set for release on Feb 9.
