Fight the taboo, says Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar makes sure he speaks his mind. Especially now that his movie Pad Man is nearing release, the Khiladi of Bollywood is making sure he uses the platform to talk about taking the taboo off the subject of menstruation in India.

Talking about how it’s spoken about in villages, Akki reveals, “It’s ridiculous that women are treated as untouchables. Men sarcastically inform others ‘Hey, these women are having a Test Match (since the game lasts for five days too). So they shouldn’t be allowed near gods’ idols’.”

Adding to it, he says, “And they’re treated as if they’re outsiders. They’re made to sleep in the verandas. It’s a natural phenomenon and it’s high time menstruating women are allowed to move around freely. They shouldn’t be subjected to this untouchability in any situation.”

Akshay is of the opinion that puberty must be celebrated in girls, so they feel positively about it. “When you celebrate the fact that a girl has hit puberty, the girl who is already going through a physical and hormonal change will feel something good has happened to her. She will be confident and secure. I don’t understand why we Indians think we need to hide anything related to periods.”

Always walking the talk, Akshay laughs when asked about wearing pink panties in the movie Pad Man. “Wearing the panties with a sanitary pad was not at all challenging and shameful for me. I did it with complete ease. You guys may feel it’s a challenge, but it’s the most natural thing. The day you stop seeing it as a challenge, more women will be comforted. I didn’t think my role in the movie spoke about a sensitive issue. I’m glad I’m seeing more and more people discussing pads on social media. That’s a victory in its own way,” he smiles.

Akshay mulls that religion too has a huge role to play in making menstruation a taboo subject. “Like many other social issues, religion is one reason to make it taboo. Because religion is misinterpreted. What’s written and what people say are two different things. People change it to their convenience. Religion is misinterpreted when it comes to women’s issues.”