Cried With Joy When I Saw Akshay Kumar Playing Me: Muruganantham

“Akshay has played my character with such warmth, humour and finesse”, says Muruganantham.

Akshay, Twinkle and Arunachalam Muruganantham on the sets of Padman.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

The actual PadMan Arunachalam Muruganantham watched R Balki’s bio-pic PadMan on Wednesday .

And Arunachalam Muruganantham just can’t get over the experience.

“It was like my whole life, all its struggles and strife all the grief and joy, flashing in front of me. I couldn’t have hoped for a better film on my life and struggle than this.”

Arunachalam Muruganantham

So is he fully satisfied? How much of his real story does PadMan capture?

Akshay Kumar and Radkhika Apte in PadMan.

“I’d say the film captures 80 percent of my real story. It couldn’t be a 100 percent my story. Then it would’ve been a documentary on me. Cinema must define and refine reality. I feel the film captures the essence and the true meaning of my struggle to give women dignity and validation not only during their time of the month but all through the year. Akshay Kumar has played my character with such warmth humour and finesse. I cried watching him and the film.”

Arunachalam Muruganantham

Is Arunachalam Muruganantham a movie buff?

“Not at all. I don’t watch films. I don’t have time for it. The last film I saw was <i>Sholay</i> with my father in 1975. And now I’ve seen my own story in <i>PadMan</i>. My father is not here any more with me. But I am sure he’d been very proud to see his son’s life portrayed so beautifully on screen.”

Arunachalam Muruganantham

Arunachalam Muruganantham’s wife who inspired his struggle to manufacture economical sanitary pads is yet to see the film.

“My wife and daughter will watch the film in a couple of days with me. I can’t wait to see my wife’s reaction. The entire story of my life and the recognition it has brought me is because of her.”

says the real-life PadMan who feels there should be more films on unsung heroes.

“But then how many Balkis are there to tell such stories?”

wonders Arunachalam Muruganantham