BEFORE PADMAN, THESE CELEBRITIES OPENED UP ABOUT PERIODS ON SCREEN

The movie Padman is a great initiative taken by director R.Balki, starring Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte, and Sonam Kapoor. This movie is the need of the hour to bring an issue as sensitive as Periods in the National limelight. Menstrual hygiene is no disease that needs to be hidden behind curtains and thus, this is the time that we talk about it in open without any inch of awkwardness and being dreadful at the name of sanitary napkins. Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor are doing a great job distributing sanitary napkins, discussing periods, talking about the machine made by the great man Arunachalam Muruganantham, and spreading awareness about periods in each and every possible manner on each and every possible platform. But this is not the first time when celebrities talked about this hushed topic at great length.

Yes, Sonam Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Radhika Apte, and Akshay Kumar are not the only ones who talked about menstrual hygiene without an ounce of awkwardness. Here are the Bollywood divas who slammed the issue to menstrual hygiene with their confidence. And no, there was no sense of shame and guilt when these ladies talked about PERIODS.

1. Parineeti Chopra-

“It’s a shame that men are still not aware about Periods! It’s a shame that men call it a problem!” She also added, “You have to talk about it…You can’t be shy about it. It's 2016, it's crazy that we talk like this!"

2. Kareena Kapoor Khan-

"I'd like to see this issue being talked about in the media, on websites, not behind closed doors. God created this, periods are natural. So, how can we say women are impure during their periods? I have a 30 days schedule in a month. We do not stop working but use the right products, keep healthy and clean. Why should others, especially girls, be termed dirty or compelled to miss school?”

3. Swara Bhaskar-

"Periods are not a reason to skip school, bunk classes, stop playing sports or sit at home alone. Periods are not a crime, nor are they taboo. They can be discussed. Even on the dinner table!"

4. Shraddha Kapoor-

"I remember that I definitely did not speak about it openly, because that's how they condition you, right? But yes, I used to tease the boys in my school. I made it a point to tell them that I am on my period because that would make them turn all coy and shy, and I loved that. They would be like, 'How can you say that?' and I would say, 'Well, I just can.' The reactions of boys to this are very entertaining. I don't mind PMS jokes at all. In fact, I enjoy it, but what I enjoy even more is them getting all embarrassed."

5. Kalki Koechlin-

"My profession demands extensive travel, long shooting hours and rigorous rehearsals - and I simply cannot restrict myself due to these taboos imposed on us. While some of us women go about our professional lives with relative ease in the days of our periods, there are thousands my age who live every day bogged down by restrictions and taboos. I want to encourage and urge women to go forth and defy regressive traditions in their pursuit of success...”

6. Kriti Sanon-

“A shocking 58% of urban women from the southern states of India do not touch pickle during their periods, more so 60% of women across South India agree that it’s embarrassing to watch sanitary napkins commercials while watching TV with family. I want to encourage & urge all these women to go forth and defy regressive traditions in their pursuit of success.”

7. Tanvi Azmi-

“I have personally successfully defied these taboos during my time. If I had followed these ‘pseudo’ traditions like my peers did, I would have been stuck with a regressive mindset and would have brought up the next generation with similar restrictions! As parents, we must have the right discussions around menstruation – and at correct times – with our children. Taboos that perpetuate our society must simply have no place. It is very encouraging to see that 96% Women from Bangalore agree that they should talk more openly about menstruation. Menstruation is considered a sign of good health & fertility and should be taken in that spirit.”

8. Anushka Sharma-

"It is shocking that barely 15% of adolescent women have access to sanitary pads in India. It is not only important to spread menstrual hygiene awareness amongst underprivileged girls and women but also important that they have access to good quality sanitary pads and its environmental friendly disposal. Menstrual hygiene is no more a privilege; it is a right. Lack of access, information, affordability and most importantly embarrassment behind low menstrual hygiene."