Period. End of Sentence.

2018 0h 26m HI

🙌

7.7

BANGER

★7.7TMDB · 263

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In an effort to improve feminine hygiene, a machine that creates low-cost biodegradable sanitary pads is installed in a rural village in Northern India. Using the machine, a group of local women is employed to produce and sell pads, offering them newfound independence and helping to destigmatize menstruation for all.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Arunachalam Muruganatham
Ajeya
Anita
Gouri Choudari
Shabana Khan
Preeti
Rekha
Roksana

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Rayka Zehtabchi
Languages: Hindi, English
Countries: India

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 26-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 8 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Hindi, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, shot by Sam A. Davis. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Dan Romer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Sam A. Davis shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Arunachalam Muruganatham and Ajeya and Anita carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt6939026 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Rayka Zehtabchi directs. Sam A. Davis behind the camera. Dan Romer scores. Sam A. Davis cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in India. Dialogue in Hindi, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 26-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 8 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Hindi, English.
4Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, shot by Sam A. Davis. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Dan Romer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Sam A. Davis shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Arunachalam Muruganatham and Ajeya and Anita carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt6939026 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Sam A. Davis
Original score: Dan Romer
Editing: Sam A. Davis
Sound: Sam A. Davis
Runtime: 26 min · 0h 26m
Status: Released
Original language: HI
IMDB: Period. End of Sentence. (2018)

Awards

Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject)

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Rayka Zehtabchi

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2026-09-16
★ 6/10
It's quite interesting that despite India being the world's first major democracy to be led by a woman, it's culture still treats them as very much second class citizens - especially when it comes to work. This quite enlightening short feature shows us just how innovative they can be, though, when it comes to dealing with one of the often quite disabling effects of their menstrual cycle. Hitherto, access to tampons has been very limited, but one woman has determined to do something about that. Shown just how to manufacture their own pads from what looked like a large wad of flax that is treated, flattened and rolled, she and a group of colleagues are soon producing enough to serve many in their local community - and they are all biodegradable too. Now I can't say I was totally convinced of the hygienic status of these as they are made by hand and put straight into cardboard boxes on someone's floor, but that they are being made at all and by people determined to do something to alleviate their problem is both impressive and shameful of the authorities that cannot get in front of this issue. On that latter front, it also shines some light on issues around a reluctance - and not just amongst men - to discuss the impact of a woman's period on her life and as one person describes "the biggest taboo" left in modern society. Whilst I'm not so sure that is true, this film certainly illustrates a certain squeamishness to address these "women's problems" and demonstrates that empowering half of the population to participate more fully in the economy - and in life in general - is a bit of a no-brainer.

Production companies