Pat on the back to Twinkle Khanna for not running out of steam when it comes to causes close to her heart. She had pushed the envelope, producing PadMan, starring husband Akshay Kumar, which brought the taboo subject of menstrual hygiene into the spotlight.
This columnist and author still remains passionate about the topic, as she comes forward to lend her support to a short film, First Period. Written and directed by Mozez Singh, known for his film Zubaan (2016), the short will be launched across social media today, on World Menstrual Day. Interestingly, First Period deals with the sensitive subject of the day of the first period - from a boy’s point of view. It portrays a world where women don’t exist, and the tables are turned.
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Shares Mozez, “When I was approached by Dasra the NGO behind the film, their brief, alongside The Gates Foundation, was that they wanted me to be involved in the conversation about Menstrual Hygiene. Because until men are not involved, it doesn’t become a universal conversation and remains a conversation of whispers and shame, only amongst women! So we went ahead and wrote a script where we showed everything from a man’s point of view and how in that world everything is perfect and empowering…”
He also reveals that he wanted Twinkle to see the film because he believes she is hugely responsible for making menstrual hygiene a topic of conversation that can be easily spoken about in everybody’s home. “She has pushed the agenda in her own individualistic and specific way and I know she really stands by and believes in what she’s saying. She has played a large part in normalizing the topic with her book and film and I was really curious to get her take on my film, so I shared it with her. And she has been nothing but supportive. She felt the film made a solid and forceful point and was sending out a clear message…I remain eternally indebted to her for this. She is a very compassionate and generous lady.”
Now that is high praise and fully deserved Mrs. Funnybones!
Watch the short film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP29MdVhpCg&feature=youtu.be
