Awkward And Embarrassing: Jaya Bachchan On Changing Sanitary Pads Behind Bushes

In October, Navya Naveli Nanda started her podcast, What The Hell Navya. It is available on Spotify. The conversation is between women of three generations - Navya, Shweta Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan.

They talk about anything and everything surrounding them and women's issues. On November 12, they talked about periods. Remembering the old shooting days, Jaya shared a memory.

‘We Had To Change Behind Bushes’

Image Courtesy: Instagram/navyananda

The veteran actor went back in time to share her memory of how difficult it was for women to change menstrual products in between shoots or hectic work hours. There were no hygienic toilets or even dustbins.

Jaya said, “When we used to do outdoors (shooting), we didn’t have vans. We had to change behind the bushes.”

Navya was shocked to hear it and asked, “The sanitary pads?”

Jaya replied, “Everything. There were not even enough toilets. It was awkward and embarrassing.” She went on to share a brief on how she used to do it.

The actor had to carry three to four pads and plastic bags to discard them. Since they did not have proper dustbins, the actor used to store the used pads, hide the poly bag and dispose of waste at home.

The Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani actor discussed how uncomfortable it used to make her and actors of the same era. She shared, “Can you imagine sitting down when you have four to five sanitary towels on you? It was really uncomfortable.”

She also told Navya that back then women did not have access to sanitary products like they have today. Now pads come with adhesive that we stick to our panties. In those days, women had to make a belt using two ends. The towels had only loops to which the tape was tied. “It was really bad,” the actor added.

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Various Names Of Menstruation

Image Courtesy: Instagram/navyananda

In the same conversation, Navya asked what words her Nani and mother have heard as alternatives to periods. Shweta and Navya almost simultaneously said, "chums." Navya shared she had women say, “I have got my P.”

Shweta nodded in affirmation and said now the generation calls it periods only. It is true for many, while there are still others who find it derogatory to openly talk about periods or even say the word in public.

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Jaya Bachchan, on the other hand, is a politician who is known to speak her mind whether it is in an interview, podcast or Lok Sabha assembly. On Mother’s day she also shared that when we celebrate this day, we must also understand what our mothers go through.

Don't Miss: Navya Naveli Nanda Opens Up About Discussing Periods With Amitabh Bachchan

She insisted that organisations should offer periods leaves to menstruators. Men have to understand what women go through during this time of the month. She also added that even many women are not considerate towards other women. This has to change.

This sweet and spicy conversation has kept us hooked on Navya’s podcast. It is refreshing to see women from three different generations opening up, sharing experiences and unabashedly talking about some of the taboo topics.

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