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Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s fearless, rebellious act touches hearts in Manto teaser
Directed by Nandita Das, the film is based on author and playwright Saadat Hassan Manto. The titular role is essayed by Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
As the makers presented Manto at the 71st Cannes Film Ferstival, they also revealed the first teaser of the film online late Saturday. Directed by Nandita Das, the film is based on author and playwright Saadat Hassan Manto, essayed by Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
The trailer takes us to the post-Independence era when the country grappled with poverty and corruption. With his body language, attitude and the tone of his voice, Nawazuddin paints the perfect picture of a rebel writer who never shies away from speaking the truth - be it to his family or the larger society. We also see glimpses of the court case against Manto that was filed for his short story, Thanda Ghosht.
Sharing the teaser, Nawazuddin tweeted, “First day in #FestivalDeCannes with the much awaited #MantoTeaser #CannesWithManto.” In the film, Abid Ali Abid is playing lyricist Javed Akhtar while the role of Manto’s close friend Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi is being essayed by Chandan Roy Sanyal. Rishi Kapoor has a small role of a film producer and Rajashri Deshpande plays Ismat Chughtai. Jaddanbai is being played by Ila Arun while Tillotama Shome essays the role of a prostitute.
As per the description by the makers, Manto follows the most tumultuous four years in the life of Manto and that of the two countries he inhabits – India and Pakistan. In Bombay’s seedy-shiny film world, Manto and his stories are widely read and accepted but as sectarian violence engulfs the nation, Manto makes the difficult choice of leaving his beloved Bombay. However, he finds himself bereft of friends and unable to find takers for his writings in Lahore. His increasing dependence on alcohol launches him into a downward spiral. Through all of this, he continues to write prolifically, without dilution. Manto is the tale of two emerging nations, two faltering cities, and one man who tries to make sense of it all.
Speaking at the teaser launch of Manto along with Nawazuddin, Rasika Dugal and Tahir Raj Bhasin, Nandita said Manto was not a message-driven film. “The idea is to tell a story for audience. We are not putting Manto on a pedestal. He was somebody who used to speak the truth despite all challenges he faced. For youth, it is extremely inspirational to see someone like him. I think it’s a film where the audience will be able to take home something and everyone will relate with his personality,” she was quoted by IANS as saying.
When asked how Nawazuddin has been able to play the character of Manto in the film, she added: “He has similar kind of personality in terms of views, anger, arrogance, sensitivity and humour. I think it was smooth ride for Nawazuddin to play this character. He used to tell me that he would not be able to do another film simultaneously because he had immersed himself so deep into the character of Manto.”
Nandita, on being asked whether audience would be able to accept this across the border, told IANS: “It’s a story of a human being who happens to be a writer. There is no relation of borders between two countries. It’s a very universal story. I think everyone will relate with this film on different levels. We are not offending anybody,” she said.
Nandita has also written the film that stars Rasika Dugal as Manto’s wife. The film is produced by HP Studios, Filmstoc and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.
Manto has been selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
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