Nawaz Has Many Traits That Are Similar To Manto - Nandita Das

After a long wait, actor-director Nandita Das is back to shake things a bit in Bollywood with her upcoming directorial venture Manto, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the titular character. This conversation with Das is as intense as it could get...

- RahulPaul

It’s been some time but the film Manto has been making the right noise. The film’s trailer has been making waves all over the country and is already an official selection for Cannes, Toronto International Films Festivals, Melbourne and Sidney Film Festivals. From the first look of it, Nawazuddin’s portrayal of rebellious and controversial writer Manto is anticipated to be one of his finest performances. The intense tension visible in the trailer makes it more intriguing to watch. Also the name Nandita Das brings the credibility of her past critically acclaimed projects like Fire, Earth and her directorial debut Firaaq. Let’s find out more from the lady who dons the director hat…

How did you come across the story of Manto?

My first introduction to Manto was in college through his short stories. A few years later, I bought the complete original works in a collection called Dastavez, in Devanagari. I was struck by his simple yet profound narratives and the way he insightfully captured the people, politics and the times he lived in. For years, I thought of making a film based on Manto’s short stories. But it was much later, in 2012, when I discovered his essays and other forms that I was able to expand on the idea for the film.

What was the idea behind releasing the short film