Bhubaneswar: A team of filmmakers associated with the New York Film Academy (NYFA) and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts has announced plans for a major English-language feature film based on the life and advocacy of Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, founder and global campaigner of the Paid Period Leave movement.
The announcement was made at the United Nations Plaza, at the UNCC, during the Global Summit on Paid Period Leave, held on Oct 19. The summit was led by Priyadarshini as the ambassador, reported USA Today. It was hosted by the RISE Foundation (Ranjeeta Initiative for Social Empowerment). The summit brought together international advocates, policymakers, community leaders, and representatives of civil society to address one of the most overlooked issues affecting women in the workplace.
Ambassador Emmett Imani, president of the Global Council of Turk Communities and Heritage and deputy director of the UNESCO Center for Peace had participated as panelists, advocating for greater recognition of the challenges faced by Turk women.
The proposed film will follow Priyadarshini’s journey from an advocate for menstrual dignity to a global campaigner for workplace equality and women’s rights.
The narrative will trace her efforts to bring menstrual health into discussions on employee welfare, labour rights and workplace inclusion. Her campaign has taken her to international platforms, including the United Nations in Nairobi and New York, as well as the UK Parliament and several regions across India, where she has advocated for the recognition of menstrual health as an integral part of workplace policies.
The film’s direction and production will be led by New York Film Academy alumni Sanya, Damilola Adeyeri and Sheldon Armstrong. The screenplay is being written by Khue Nguyen of NYFA and Gabriel Henneman of NYU Tisch, while Arturo de las Fuentes will serve as cinematographer.
Through Priyadarshini’s story of perseverance and determination, the filmmakers aim to use cinema as a medium to expand global awareness of menstrual equity and the challenges faced by menstruating employees.
The project also seeks to encourage policymakers, employers and corporate leaders to consider more inclusive workplace practices, recognising menstrual health as an important aspect of employee well-being and equality.
By bringing the Paid Period Leave movement to the screen, the filmmakers hope to stimulate wider discussion about workplace policies, menstrual dignity and the need for working environments that respond to the health needs of employees.
Period leave in India: What are the rules?
The announcement comes amid growing discussion in India about paid menstrual leave, with state governments and private companies adopting different approaches to the issue.
India does not have a uniform national law mandating paid menstrual leave for all women employees. Instead, provisions vary according to state policies, institutional rules and individual employers’ leave policies. Karnataka has introduced a policy covering eligible employees in both government and private establishments, while Bihar and Odisha have provisions for state government employees. Kerala’s provisions primarily concern students and industrial trainees.
Bihar: Bihar introduced menstrual leave for women government employees in 1992. The policy provides two days of paid special leave each month, equivalent to up to 24 days annually. The benefit is primarily associated with state government employment and does not establish a general entitlement for private-sector workers.
Odisha: Odisha announced menstrual leave provisions in 2024 for women state government employees. Eligible employees up to the age of 55 can avail themselves of one additional day of casual leave each month, amounting to 12 days annually. The leave is intended for the first or second day of the menstrual cycle and cannot be carried forward. Although the initiative was initially discussed in broader terms, the mandatory provision applies to state government employees; private employers may introduce their own policies.
Karnataka: Karnataka introduced its Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025, making it the first Indian state to establish a policy covering eligible employees across both government and private-sector establishments. Under the policy, women employees aged 18 to 52 are entitled to one day of paid menstrual leave per month, up to 12 days annually. Coverage includes eligible permanent, contractual and outsourced employees in specified establishments and industries. A medical certificate is not required, and unused leave cannot be carried forward. The state subsequently extended the provision to its government employees in December 2025.
Kerala: Kerala’s provisions focus on education rather than establishing a general menstrual-leave entitlement for the state’s entire workforce. Female students in state universities and higher education institutions have received attendance concessions, with the minimum attendance requirement reduced from 75% to 73%. Female trainees in Industrial Training Institutes are also covered by menstrual-leave provisions, including two days of leave per month under a government order issued in November 2024. These arrangements should not be interpreted as a universal paid-leave entitlement for private-sector employees in Kerala.
Sikkim: Sikkim has provisions at specific institutions rather than a comprehensive statewide policy for all employees. Women employees in the Sikkim High Court Registry can receive two to three days of menstrual leave per month, subject to a recommendation from the court’s medical officer. Sikkim University has also introduced menstrual-leave provisions for female students.
Private companies offering period leave
Several private companies in India have introduced menstrual-leave policies independently of state government mandates. Their entitlements differ, and the availability and conditions of individual policies should be verified with the respective employers.
Among the companies reported to have introduced such initiatives are:
- Zomato: Reported to offer up to 10 days of paid period leave annually to employees.
- Swiggy: Has introduced menstrual leave for women employees and delivery partners, with a two-day paid-leave policy reported for its female delivery partners.
- Acer India: Introduced its Matrika policy in 2025, providing female employees with one additional paid leave day per month.
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T): Announced a one-day paid menstrual-leave initiative for women employees in 2025.
- Orient Electric: Introduced menstrual leave in 2022.
- AU Small Finance Bank: Has also been reported to provide one additional paid menstrual-leave day per month.
- Scaler: Introduced a policy providing 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually to eligible female and transgender employees, with the option of taking a full day or two half-days each month.
These company-level initiatives demonstrate how employers can incorporate menstrual health into employee welfare policies. However, a company’s voluntary policy is distinct from a statutory entitlement, and the terms of leave may differ across organisations.
