A king of Bollywood stars as India’s superhero inventor, saving women one month at a time
AKSHAY KUMAR, THE 10TH highest paid actor in the world—the Tom Cruise of Bollywood and People India’s one-time “Sexiest Man Alive”—can’t remember when he first heard the word menstruation. Sitting in a New York City hotel with his wife, the actress and best-selling author Twinkle Khanna, he considers this, blushing slightly, clearly flummoxed by the question. “I never sat down and thought about when I was introduced to it,” he says.
“With me!” exclaims Khanna, whose whimsical first name is a family thing (her mother is Dimple, her aunt Simple). Before that, she adds, “I don’t think he knew that menstruation existed.”
The question is relevant because Kumar is starring in Padman (opening January 25) about Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man who launched India’s sanitary pad revolution with the creation of a machine that makes inexpensive, sterilized pads. He, too, learned about menstruation only after he got married. “I think that’s the story for most men,” says Khanna, the film’s producer. “I was doing research for a column in The Times of India when I came across Muruganantham’s story.” She laughs. “I call him Muruga because even my tongue twists trying to pronounce his name!”
In 2015, as she began to fictionalize Muruga’s life for her book, The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, she realized that “unfortunately our world is filled with viewers, not readers. For the story to penetrate every household, to start a conversation, that’s how the idea of making a movie came about.”
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin January 26,2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin January 26,2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
The Invisible Scars Of War
The ongoing conflict with Russia has left 10 million Ukrainians affected by mental health conditions. Now, a community-led program is giving citizens the tools they need to help them overcome their trauma
Navigating New Horizons: Tayca's Tech Innovation
Amidst evolving global markets and demographic shifts, Tayca Corporation harnesses cutting-edge Japanese technology to stay at the forefront, leading in innovation and adapting to changing economic conditions.
Leading the Waves in LCL Shipping
With a unique combination of speed, innovation, and a customer-focused approach, Seino Logix dominates the LCL shipping sector, providing top-tier logistics solutions.
Nikki Glaser
COMEDIAN NIKKI GLASER NEVER WANTS TO OFFEND. \"I NEVER WANT TO say offensive or raunchy [things] or push the envelope, because that speaks to some kind of comedian who wants to rile people up.\"
Unraveling The Mummy After 25 Years
Its stars thought it would flop. Now a quarter of a century after its release, Arnold Vosloo, Rachel Weisz, Patricia Velásquez and Kevin J. O'Connor reflect on the cult classic
PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS 2024
A COMPANY'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE with the public is essential. Managing a firm's reputation, driving interest in its products and limiting damage during times of crisis hinge in large part on the abilities of its public relations professionals.
Work Less, Relax More
Millennials are ready for a four-day week. The younger generation wants to work fewer hours
Wildlife Crossings Are a Bear Necessity
Safe passages for animals under or over highways are reducing road collisions and could help them to adapt to climate change by seeking out new habitats
'I Don't Live My Life With the Cameras On'
Canada's first lady Sophie Grégoire Trudeau talks working through trauma, relationships in the public eye and her new book exploring mental health
AMERICA'S BEST Maternity HOSPITALS 2024
THE ARRIVAL OF A HEALTHY BABY BRINGS UNPARALLELED joy. It's no wonder that families welcoming their newest members are looking for high-quality health care to ensure a smooth delivery and reliable postpartum care.