R Balki on ‘Padman’ not being a social-based film

With a number of Akshay Kumar’s recent releases, filmmaker R Balki has refused to brand his next ‘Padman’ as a film with a social message in it.

In an interview with Pune Mirror, Balki spoke about the increase use of social messages in commercial cinema in today’s times. He said, “I don’t know about that, but I was just fascinated by the life of the man on whom the film is based. I also feel sanitary napkins as a subject has not been touched in this country. It’s a revolutionary thing, what he did. It must be spoken about… People are so shy about it.”

He also opened up about ‘Padman’, saying, “His (Muruganantham’s) life itself is equal to ‘Sholay’. It is as entertaining as the biggest masala entertainers… And when you have a life that is so entertaining, why do I need to add entertainment.”

Unlike his previous films, this will be Balki’s first film based on a true character. Prior to this, his films have been purely fictional. “I would like to always do original stuff. This is the first time I am doing something based on someone else’s life. I would never like to base a film on a book. If the product would not have been this — sanitary pads — I wouldn’t have done this film.

“I felt there will never be a chance again to do such an interesting subject… I prefer to write original content. Sometimes, fiction is a lot more interesting… you don’t know where it goes and you can dream up whatever you want to,” he added.