Bollywood's new movie targets Indian taboo

MUMBAI - A Bollywood movie about an inventor who created a revolutionary machine that makes cheap sanitary pads hits screens this week, challenging taboos surrounding menstruation in India.

Arunachalam Muruganantham is nicknamed "menstrual man" for transforming the lives of poor women forced to use items like old rags, sand and leaves during their periods.

He has been lauded by India's government and is now getting the star treatment, with Bollywood A-lister Akshay Kumar portraying him in Pad Man, releasing on Friday.