Nandita Das and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Manto promises to be a riveting watch

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one of the finest actors of our time. Nandita Das’ directorial Manto trailer will make you think and ponder before you celebrate the 72nd Independence Day and a free India. The trailer stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role of poet and thinker Saadat Hasan Manto. Manto, in real life and in the film wants you to look around and inwards and introspect — what does freedom means and are we indeed free?

Manto trailer, launched at the stroke of midnight on August 15, raises questions which are as pertinent today as they were 70 years ago. “Jab gulaam the, toh azaadi ka khwab dekhte the, Aur ab azaad hai, toh kaunsa khwab dekhenge (When we were enslaved, we would dream of independence. Now that we are free, what will we dream of?)” asks Siddiqui’s Manto at the beginning of the trailer, setting the tone as he refuses to give up his right to freedom of speech. This line resonates with the times we live in.

The trailer is unrelenting as it shows Manto’s struggle with censorship, especially after his work Thanda Gosht (Cold Meat) is released. The poet was tried six times for obscenity, primarily because he insisted on portraying gritty reality and showing a mirror to the society. The struggle is as relevant in India today as it was then. With this Siddiqui dialogue emphasising the point, “Why reality can’t be shown as it is? My stories are a mirror for society to see itself.”

The director nails the feel of the era and Manto’s ethos. Siddiqui, is shown as a white kurta-pyjama and round glasses clad writer, who becomes Manto in front of our eyes – both in look and spirit.

Manto has Rasika Duggal, Rishi Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Ila Arun and Rajshri Deshpande in important roles, with Javed Akhtar making his screen debut. It releases on September 21.

Watch The Trailer :