Manto teaser: Nawazuddin plays the rebel writer with his trademark intensity

By Nichola

on May 14, 2018

Trust the very gifted Nandita Sen to immerse us so completely into the world of newly-Independent India, which is struggling with poverty and corruption. The teaser of Manto brings us face to face with the controversial and brutally honest author and playwright Saadat Hassan Manto. Nawazuddin Siddiqui brings his effortless brilliance to the role, as he plays the rebel writer who refuses to sugar-coat unpalatable truths, whether dealing with his family or society at large. The teaser also offers glimpses of the court case Manto was embroiled in, for his short story Thanda Ghosht.

The film focuses on the four most turbulent years in the life of Manto, as well as the countries he inhabits – India and Pakistan. Manto had achieved considerable success in the film world of Bombay, but has no choice but leave as the religious divide grows stronger. Living in Lahore, his writing does not find success. Alcoholism looms. However, his pen remains sharp and brutal, as he tries to make sense of the rapidly changing realities.
Manto was presented at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, where it has been selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section.

The film’s cast includes Abid Ali Abid playing lyricist Javed Akhtar, while the role of Manto’s close friend Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi is being essayed by Chandan Roy Sanyal. While Rishi Kapoor has a brief appearance as a film producer, Rajashri Deshpande plays Ismat Chughtai. While Ila Arun plays Jaddanbai, Tillotama Shome essays the role of a prostitute.
Of course it is difficult to take your eyes off the man at the centre of it all – Nawaz.

Speaking about how Nawazuddin essayed Manto, director Nandita Das pointed out, “He has a 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.”

The teaser is more than sufficient proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4LA6v2u47Q