Mumbai: As 'Pad Man' was honoured with National Film Award for Best film on social issues, filmmaker R. Balki dedicated the same to the man behind the real 'Pad Man', Arunachalam Muruganantham.
He also asserted that the award truly belongs to Muruganantham and that the honour indicates a start of the conversation on menstrual hygiene.
Giving Muruganantham his due credit, Balki said: "The first thought that came to my mind was that this National Award belongs to Muruganantham."
Speaking about the film based on the social issue, he said: "This is the first time in the history of cinema that a feature film has been made on menstrual hygiene, but the whole journey started with his work. So, I have to say the whole credit goes to him. Yes, we worked on the film, but it was Muruganantham's thoughts and journey (that inspired the film)."
Praising the real 'Pad Man', he concluded: "He is a man with an extraordinary thought. He is an inspiration."
Based on Muruganantham's life, the film visualised the journey of Laxmikant, played by Akshay Kumar who introduced low-cost sanitary pads in Tamil Nadu, especially for women who were unable to access sanitary pads owing to expenses and social taboo regarding menstruation.
Balki who spoke to Muruganantham after the announcement of the National Award said: "He (Muruganantham) is overjoyed, he is very glad."
He further stated: "He was now saying the film has started a conversation and awareness, and everywhere he travels, he gets to hear how the film has created an impact on people and opened up conversation at the grassroot level".
