India’s Real-Life ‘Pad Man’ in the Race for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize; Akshay Kumar Portrayed His Role

New Delhi. Social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham—who brought about a monumental change in women’s health and hygiene in India—is once again making headlines. Muruganantham, popularly known as the ‘Pad Man,’ has claimed that he has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

His journey—from a small village in Tamil Nadu to achieving global recognition—is widely regarded as inspirational. The story of his life was brought to the silver screen through the film Pad Man, in which actor Akshay Kumar portrayed his character.

What Did Muruganantham Say About the Nomination?
Expressing his delight at this achievement, Muruganantham revealed that, initially, he could not believe it. He explained that an individual cannot nominate themselves for the Nobel Prize; rather, one must be nominated by a third party. According to him, a dean from the Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry, along with American teams working there, submitted his name—a nomination that was accepted within 24 hours.

The Race for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
According to official statistics, a total of 287 nominations have been received from across the globe for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. These include 208 individuals and 79 organizations. In this context, Muruganantham’s inclusion in this list underscores the global impact of his work. However, the final selection process is known to be quite complex and highly competitive.

How ​​Is the Selection Made?
Following the nomination phase, the Nobel Committee seeks the opinions of experts, and the work of the candidates undergoes a rigorous evaluation. This involves a detailed examination of research papers, articles, and other relevant documents to ensure that the award is bestowed upon the most deserving individual or institution.

Who Is Arunachalam Muruganantham?

Arunachalam Muruganantham is a social activist from Tamil Nadu who dedicated his life to making affordable and safe sanitary pads available to women in rural India. He developed a low-cost machine that simplified the production of sanitary pads, thereby transforming the lives of thousands of women.

The Story Reaches Every Household Through Cinema
Director R. Balki brought this inspiring journey to the screen in the film Pad Man. Released in 2018, the movie starred Akshay Kumar alongside Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor in pivotal roles. The film not only raised awareness about sanitary pads within society but also won a National Award. Today, the very same real-life ‘Pad Man’ has taken another significant step toward bringing glory to India on the global stage.