Bhopal: Film PadMan starring Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor has 10 artistes from the city who have acted in the film. Directed by R Balki and released on Friday, the movie is about menstrual hygiene. The artistes, who worked for the film, shared their experiences with Free Press. Excerpts:
Shalini Gupta
My role in the movie is one of the neighbours of Akshay. I got to know about the movie by one of my WhatsApp friend. I wanted to quit the movie because it was an outdoor shoot. But my friend suggested that it is big movie, directed by Balki then I agreed. It was my first film with Balki and Kumar. Balki is very down-to-earth and caring. Our shoot was held in Maheshwar fort. And for this, I had to stay at Maheshwar for seven days. I had to shoot scene in bright sunlight. I was very excited to see how I look. It is for the first time I watched on the first day, first show. The topic of the movie is very bold, but it is presented in a very dignified manner. Everyone can watch the movie with family.
Dinesh Kumar
I played the role of moneylender of a village and my shoot was of one day. I worked in the movie because of R Balki and Shruti Mahajan. Shruti Mahajan is one of the best casting directors in India. Balki never interfere in artiste’s work. In fact, he has great attachment with theatre artistes of the city and respects them. I salute Balki as well as Akshay Kumar who showed courage to make movie on such topic on which people don’t want to talk in our society. Nobody has ever tried to touch this subject.
People will like the movie.
Ashok Bulani
My friend told me about the audition of the movie. After selection, I got the role of Farji Pundit (fake priest) who makes money in the name for religion. My shoot was of two days, which I enjoyed a lot with other artistes of Bhopal. For the first time, I got chance to work with Balki and Akshay Kumar and felt very good to work with them. Akshay is disciplined and humble. Definitely, the message of the movie will reach people.
Sangeeta Shrivastava
I have done short movies and TV serials, but it is my first movie on silver screen. I became very happy to know that Balki is directing the movie. And also the topic of the movie is very bold. Nowadays, everyone is talking about sanitary pad, earlier they didn’t. They used to hesitate. And this is big achievement of the movie. My role in the movie is neighbour of Akshay Kumar. I watched the movie and was astonished to see Maheshwar Fort. It is shown beautifully. And I am sure that after watching the fort in the movie, everyone will visit.
Anshuman Phukan
I worked for the first with this production house and I am very impressed with its working style. I have worked with other production houses, but it is the first production which did justice to every artiste. The role in my movie is to sell female undergarments on footpath. Akshay Kumar visits at our shop to purchase undergarments for her wife. I am fortunate to work with him. He is very down-to-earth and simple man.
