Nandita Das’s take on Manto, a historical period drama has made it to the Un Certain Regard segment of the 71st Cannes Film Festival which will be held from the 8th to the 19th of May.
The movie stars Nawazuddin Siddique who bears an uncanny resemblance to the illustrious and controversial writer. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express the actor talked about his role and added that Manto and his writings are as relevant today as he was before.
“Manto is as relevant today as he was during his time. Like, I will narrate you his speech, which he had given in Jogeshwari (in Mumbai). We have used it as it is.”
Nawazuddin further added, “He used to say, ‘These (religious fanaticism) are disgusting things, motives. Debate on my story and kill me, I will be fine with it. I will think I got a good death. I will be happy. But don’t do these things because I am an artiste and I don’t like such dirty scars.’ He used to call himself an artiste no, so, he would say, ‘I am an artiste. Don’t make me anything else’.”
“I relate to him. This is my favourite line of his speech. I had even tweeted because of this at that time. But it was taken out of context. I understood people’s mindset right then itself because they didn’t get what I was trying to say, they still don’t get it I am sure. I had written that only after knowing Manto – ‘I am an artiste and in one life, it’s enough to be just one person.’ And that too, one should try to be that one person in all honesty. I don’t think there’s ever been a more beautiful line than this,” he elaborated
The movie also stars Rishi Kapoor and Rasika Duggal who plays Manto’s on screen wife, Safiyah.
