Balki walked down memory lane and spoke about why the film, which stars Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor, was an important one for him.

He said: "It was an important film and an ode to one of the most creative minds, Muruganantham, who went about breaking the taboo of menstruation-related issues. The film furthered his cause and made it an acceptable family conversation - a huge task in even the developed countries! For me, Pad Man is the most important film I have made so far!"

He added: "In the film, Akshay Kumar was at his best and lived the role. A 13-minute monologue with fluctuating emotions in one take! Very few actors have done that in cinema! Truly a performance that touched me even as we were filming it."

Co-produced by Hope Productions, Cape of Good Films, Columbia Pictures, SPE Films India, KriArj Entertainment and Mrs Funnybones Movies, the Balki directorial was co-written by the filmmaker along with Swanand Kirkire.