Inspired by Akshay Kumar's 'OMG 2', Ulhasnagar Education Society introduces sex education in syllabus

Amit Rai with members of Ulhasnagar Education Society

The Akshay Kumar-Pankaj Tripathi-Yami Gautam starrer, OMG2, has been making waves since its release last week. The film has turned out to be a highly acclaimed entertainer, laying emphasis on the need for sex education in India. And what better success for a film that causing a positive change in the society? Since its release, several important voices have been heard demanding the subject's inclusion in school curriculums. An education society in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, has become the first one to do it.

A couple of days back, a special screening of 'OMG 2' was organized by the Sindhu Education Society in Ulhasnagar under the leadership of Rekha Thakur (Secretary). The audience included respected MLA Kumar, 184 teachers and Principals from around 15 schools in Ulhasnagar. Amit Rai, the writer and director of OMG2, had also been invited for the occasion. The film received a thunderous response from everyone present.

Post the screening, the organisers (Sindhu Educational Society) announced that they would start including sex education in their curriculum from the current academic year.

This has come as a huge victory for the makers of the film. On one hand, the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) is facing a lot of flak for doing ‘modifications' in the film and on the other, an education society has been so impacted by the film that they have revised their curriculum. The message is clear - India has shown its readiness for a major change in the education system, thanks to the film that propagates the same.

Amit Rai who was at the event says, "This is something I shall always cherish. The purpose behind making this film has been attained. I am so happy that the film is not just doing well commercially but our message has reached out to people at large and we are witnessing changes happening all around us. Nothing can be more gratifying than this."

The social comedy's journey to the theatres has been tumultuous, beginning with studios that didn't have faith in his story. "The film was turned down by nine production houses, including Ashutosh Gowariker's studio, Dharma Productions and Sony Pictures. People called my story crass. Akshay and the producers told me to run with it. They gave me everything they could - from budget, to permission to shoot inside the Mahakaleshwar temple [in Ujjain]," said Rai in an interview with Mid-Day.