Manto movie review: Manto, examined only in juxtaposition
Deccan ChronicleCast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rasika Dugal, Tahir Bhasin, Rajshri Deshpande Director: Nandita Das Writer-director Nandita Das is quite brave to attempt a movie on the subcontinent’s favourite writer. She cleverly weaves in moments from Manto’s own life to bring in his stories — from his stay at a mental asylum, she takes us to Toba Tek Singh. Yet Das chooses to chronicle the life and work of Manto only in juxtaposition — to accusations of being obsessed with prostitutes, with the obscene; to familial responsibilities ignored; to court cases and obscenity trials, first in India and then in Pakistan, that chiselled at his soul; a life’s end measured in empty booze bottles and pending payments. Even when the like-minded meet, including Manto’s incendiary cohort Chughtai, the conversations Das creates present them not as intellectually challenging, subversive, creative characters, but as fun-sucking, heavy-breathing academics. In a conversation with Manto, Das makes Shyam blurt out, “*!#* Muslims”, and later shows that while Manto’s friends in Bombay wrote letters to him, he didn’t reply.
History of this topic
Manto would have been appalled that nothing has changed 70 years later: Nandita Das
The Hindu)
Manto movie review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the best he has ever been in Nandita Das' stirring portrait of a genius
Firstpost)
Manto: Nandita Das' brilliantly crafted biopic isn't inclusive enough of those unaware of the writer
Firstpost)
Manto's fearlessness and compulsion to tell the truth resonated with my own journey, says Nandita Das
Firstpost
Manto: Nandita Das' directorial, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, to be screened at BFI London Film Festival
Firstpost
Nandita Das: Manto is a mirror to our prejudices, fears, morality
Hindustan TimesIn conversation with Nandita Das
The HinduDiscover Related
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