Rasika Dugal indulging in deep conversations to prepare for Manto role

Actress Rasika Dugal is preparing for her role as Saadat Hasan Manto's wife Safia in Nandita Das's directorial, by indulging in conversations with theatre artistes, journalists and avid readers of the legendary writer.

Manto is a biographical film based on the Pakistani writer, and it will not only emphasise on Manto and his writings, but also on his personal life in which his wife Safia stood beside him strongly.

For her role as Safia, Dugal is speaking to different writers' wives to understand the nuances of a relationship of such a nature. She is also talking to directors of the plays who have worked with his characters.

A theatre artiste herself, the actress said in a statement: "The interesting thing about Manto is that everyone has something to say about him. Ever since the film has been announced, I have had several conversations with friends from the theatre who have performed Manto's short stories, journalists who know about him or just people who are avid readers of his work.

"These conversations have been lovely. They have given me tidbits of anecdotal information which are priceless and hard to find in any book."

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is playing Manto in the movie.