For the very time, men of our nation are openly and boldly taking about sanitary napkins.
For the very first time, not just women, but also men are holding sanitary napkins in their hand.
And for the very first time, we have the people of India posting pictures with sanitary napkins on Instagram.
Starting with celebrities like Amir Khan and Alia Bhatt, who posted pictures with a sanitary napkin, the PadMan Challenge is going viral every day. Anil Kapoor, Raj Kumar Rao, Huma Qureshi, and various others joined the challenge. And with the direct contributions of films in the daily happenings of the social society, this influenced the youth too.
Here are the Instagram posts from Bollywood celebs who accepted the PadMan Challenge and made the film a viral movement.
1. Amir Khan
Mr. perfectionist took the first step to accept the PadMan Challenge. He has been addressing social issues in his show Satyamev Jayate and this is yet another proof of his stand for change.
2. Anil Kapoor and Raj Kumar Rao
Mr. Kapoor and Raj Kumar Rao were just out there hanging out in a chemist’s shop holding a pad. They took up the challenge very creatively. Have a look at the video they made.
3. Sonam Kapoor
Playing the role of a journalist in the film, even she did the challenge. She didn't feel weird. She felt normal. She has to be the lady who stands strong with it.
4. Huma Qureshi
Another great picture from Instagram! The life is usual with a pad in hand. They are doing everything to promote the use of pads in rural areas. Amazing! Isn't it?
5. Arjun Kapoor
Challenged by Sonam Kapoor, even the Gunday fame actor Arjun Kapoor came to the forefront to become a contributor in the PadMan challenge. And what a picture!
6. Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma
The two of them were hanging out together and clicked this picture. They consider holding a pad and posing no big deal. Great inspiration!
7. Madhuri Dixit
Anil Kapoor had nominated his co-star Madhuri Dixit for the challenge. She took it very sportingly by uploading a boomerang with a sanitary napkin.
8. Karishma Kapoor
Taking up the challenge on being nominated by Madhuri Dixit, even Karishma Kapoor stood up for the social cause. Have a look at what she has to convey.
9. Diya Mirza
She used two very interesting hashtags - #BooToTaboo and #HeForShe with this post. It is amazing how elder members Bollywood family are turning up to this challenge.
10. Deepika Padukone
In the middle of all heat that was set up due to the Padmavat controversy, she found time to post a boomerang on Instagram in support of the need highlighted by PadMan challenge.
11. Swara Bhaskar
Even Swara, who was in the headlines for writing an open letter to director Bhansali for the glorification of Sati and Jauhar that have deprived women of the right to live, also did the challenge. Have a look!
The challenge is a good step to spread awareness as people follow these celebs. But, managing Periods is still a major concern for a country like India, where 82% women don’t use sanitary napkins. The cumulative reasons for this huge percentage include lack of awareness, lack of funds, lack of access and lack of understanding.
Realising the urgency of this issue the PadMan - Arunachalam Murunganantham started his journey to prepare the low cost best quality sanitary napkins. Much to our amazement, Mr. Murunganantham did not respond to calls of Akshay Kumar, until Twinkle Khanna convinced him to meet her.
When she met him he told her, "I knew your husband was calling me. But I don't want to talk to men. They don't understand things. Women are quick. They understand quickly." Hearing this, Akshay Kumar was sure that he is not only PadMan of India, but also a dedicated social change maker.
These pictures from Instagram are a proof that people are understanding the need for awareness about periods and menstrual cycles. They want to reach as many people as possible. And the faster it happens, the better it is.
Did you take the PadMan challenge?