NEWS DESK: Akshay Kumar’s Padman, which has got a green signal from as many as 50 countries, won’t be releasing in Pakistan, reported Pinkvilla.

An exhibitor from Pakistan says that the film has been denied a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) due to its subject.

Another industry source told the Indian website that Padman was initially bought by Amjad Rashid of IMGC but after he was shown the trailer, he was advised not to import the film. “Later HKC bought it and applied for NOC which was denied.”

A senior executive from Pakistan, when asked about her personal opinion on denial of NOC, said, “Well, you know how the mentality is in our Asian men towards 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, “Pakistan as 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. It will be the first Bollywood film to release on the same day and date in Russia, Iraq, Ivory Coast and others.

In the film, Akshay will be seen as Arunachalam Muruganantham, inventor of low-cost sanitary napkins for women in rural areas. The movie also stars Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor in lead roles.

In an interview with a leading daily, when asked if Padman’s unconventional subject is making people nervous, Akshay said, “Nervous? No! Intrigued? Yes! There’s nothing to be nervous about. This is a subject that can, and will only help our society. [In the film] there’s no controversial behavior. In fact, the Censor Board has loved it and hasn’t cut a single thing. 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 to spread the awareness we’re working so hard to create. This is to better the lives of your wives, mothers and daughters. What’s there to be worried about? Come on people, be brave, be mad.”