‘Padman’ focuses on the real-life true story of the Tamil Nadu-based activist Arunachalam Murugananthan, who worked tirelessly towards providing low-cost, eco-friendly and hygienic sanitary napkins to the women in rural areas. Akshay Kumar features in the lead role with Radhika Apte playing the role of his wife and also stars Sonam Kapoor with the film being written and directed by R. Balki. The film has been adapted from the short story ‘The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad’ in the book written by Twinkle Khanna which itself is inspired by the life of the social activist.
Akshay Kumar holds his ground as he very effectively and convincingly portrays his character as Lakshmikant Chauhan. His ability to drive a message-driven plot interlaced with humour is something Akshay has been synonymous with. He has time and again presented films to the audience which have driven home a social message and this time too, Akshay through his character tries to convey a message and succeeds in doing so. He has always been part of films with socially relevant subjects which have worked with the audience. So it’s a safe bet for him to do films on such subjects.
Radhika Apte who plays Akshay’s wife in the film does not fit the part quite well. Her act often tends to feel over the top and melodramatic in many of the scenes. Maybe, a slight reworking on her character by the writers would have done her good. Sonam Kapoor in her small but significant role does complete justice to the film in playing a simple girl who helps carry forward Akshay’s vision. Her performance in the film is certainly one to watch out for.
The script wavers from being from being highly melodramatic in the first half to being surprisingly engaging and entertaining in the second half. The second half of the film very convincingly comprehends for its first half and makes it an entertaining watch. The script has been well written by director R. Balki and that is evident from the intricately detailed scenes in the plot.
Director R. Balki who considers Amitabh Bachchan like his lucky charm has once again cast Big B in a small yet powerful three-minute cameo in the film. The fact that R. Balki writes his own films works for ‘Padman’ in a big way as for a sensitive subject such as this, it is extremely essential for a film to appeal to its audiences without sounding too preachy and at the same time be entertaining. And R. Balki manages to get that right by portraying some serious issues in the film with humour sprinkled over making it entertaining and comfortable for the audiences to lap it up.
Music in most films have always been a crucial aspect and here too, the music composed by Amit Trivedi adds that zing to the narrative lending that levity required in some of the scenes. The song ‘Aaj Se Teri’ and the title track stand out. Overall, the music and background score aptly do what is just needed.
Had the first half been equally elevating and entertaining as the second half, this film would have soared new heights and easily been one of the best films to have arrived in recent times. However, it will still appeal to the audience in bringing out a social message which needs to be addressed.
