R Balki's choice was Dhanush instead of Akshay Kumar for Padman!

Evergreen star Akshay Kumar is all set to play the role of a Tamilian economical sanitary napkin manufacturer Arunachalam Muruganantham in R Balki's Padman. The film marks Twinkle Khanna's first venture as a producer and stars Sonam Kapoor in the lead.

As per a famous tabloid, Akshay was not Balki's first choice and he wanted to make this film in Tamil. Speaking about it, a source close to the development stated, "The director R. Balki is Tamil himself. He wanted to cast Dhanush with whom he has worked in Shamitabh. But Mr & Mrs Akshay Kumar wanted the resident superstar to play the sanitary napkin man. So, now the character’s cultural profile has been changed. He will no longer be Tamil but will address himself to a pan-India audience."

When they were further asked if Arunachalam Muruganantham will turn into a Punjabi for Padman, the source denied it telling, "No no, nothing like that. He will now not be culture-specific. Woh kahin ka bhi hosakta hai (he can belong anywhere)."

Padman is scheduled to release later this year.