Phullu: A Rustic Tale of Menstrual Awareness

‘Phullu’ presents a raw and unvarnished look at menstrual hygiene in rural India. The film, featuring Sharib Hashmi in the lead, portrays a man’s journey to understand and alleviate the suffering of women in his village. The story revolves around Phullu’s efforts to introduce sanitary pads, facing ridicule and opposition. The film’s strength lies in its depiction of the protagonist’s earnestness and his dedication to the cause. Though the film may have certain flaws in its execution, Sharib Hashmi’s performance brings a certain sincerity to the role. The film also explores the differing approaches of the Central Board of Film Certification towards movies on this topic, noting the difference in ratings given to ‘Phullu’ and ‘Padman’.