NEWS DESK: Akshay Kumar’s Padman, which has got a green signal from as manyas 50 countries, won’t be releasing in Pakistan, reported Pinkvilla.
An exhibitor from Pakistan says that the film has been denied aNo-Objection Certificate (NOC) due to its subject.
Another industry source told the Indian website that Padman was initiallybought by Amjad Rashid of IMGC but after he was shown the trailer, he wasadvised not to import the film. “Later HKC bought it and applied for NOCwhich was denied.”
A senior executive from Pakistan, when asked about her personal opinion ondenial of NOC, said, “Well, you know how the mentality is in our Asian mentowards periods and they don’t want to discuss this as it’s a taboo. Sadly.”
The makers are not really upset about this. A trade insider said, “Pakistanas a territory is not a big one so even if Padman does not release there,it will not have any effect on the business of the film.”
Meanwhile, Padman will be the widest release for an Akshay Kumar film. Itwill be the first Bollywood film to release on the same day and date inRussia, Iraq, Ivory Coast and others.
In the film, Akshay will be seen as Arunachalam Muruganantham, inventor oflow-cost sanitary napkins for women in rural areas. The movie also starsRadhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor in lead roles.
In an interview with a leading daily, when asked if Padman’s unconventionalsubject is making people nervous, Akshay said, “Nervous? No! Intrigued?Yes! There’s nothing to be nervous about. This is a subject that can, andwill only help our society. [In the film] there’s no controversialbehavior. In fact, the Censor Board has loved it and hasn’t cut a singlething. What more can anyone want from a film with a message? So I’d say,people, instead of being nervous, be encouraged; use this intrigue tospread the awareness we’re working so hard to create. This is to better thelives of your wives, mothers and daughters. What’s there to be worriedabout? Come on people, be brave, be mad.”