The teaser of Nandita Das’s Manto, released earlier this year, indicated that it would not be wrong to have high expectations from this movie. The trailer of the film, released yesterday (15 August) further raises the bar.
Manto is a biopic on the celebrated author and playwright Saadat Hasan Manto. The trailer aptly gives an idea of what the film is about. More than the life-story of the man, the film touches on the subject of freedom of expression.
The late author did face a lot of flak for his writings, which were considered offensive and vulgar by many. However, he believed in showing the society as it is. The dialogue in the film, ‘Main toh bas apni kahaniyon ko ek aaina samajta hoon jisme samaaj apne aap ko dekh sake [I consider my stories to be a mirror with which the society can look at itself]’ brilliantly captures Manto’s mind and also reminds you of today’s time, when freedom of expression is rampantly censured.
Going by the trailer, the film seems to have been well captured and presented. The production design looks top-notch as the lanes and the milieu of the 1940s are re-created wonderfully.
As far as actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is concerned, it shouldn’t be a surprise if this turns out to be one of his finest performances. Actresses Rasika Duggal and Tillotama Shome also appear in good form.
The trailer also gives a glimpse of veteran stars like Rishi Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, and even lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar.
Manto is all set to be released on 21 September.
Watch the trailer: