Karachi: Oxford University Press (OUP) arranged a discussion on Manto-the recently released Pakistani biographical drama film, with its leading cast and director at their head office on September, 14th, 2015.
MANTO - THE MOVIE
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The film is based on the life of most famous Pakistani short-story writer Sadat Hassan Manto, starring Sarmad Sultan Khoosat in the title role. Produced by Babar Javed and written by Shahid Nadeem, whose screenplay was adapted from Manto’s short stories particularly— Thanda Gosht, Madari, Licence, Hatak and Peshawar Se Lahore; it also depicts his relationship with singer-actress Noor Jehan.
Sarmad Khosat, the director and leading actor of the movie, Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha were present for the discussion and sharing their experiences they had during the long journey of the movie.
Sarmad said, “I have complains to my elders and even to myself, as we took too long to own the legacy of Sadat Hussain Manto, as in 2012, after hundred years of Manto’s birth, the government awarded him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz”.
He was of the view that besides sensitizing Manto, we treated him very marginally. When we do any work on Manto, we have a typical approach to make it dry and too serious, so it confines to the only audience who know Manto. I have changed that approach and in the movie you would find the glamorous actors and actress like Humayon Saeed, Saba Qamar, Mahira Khan, Marya Wasti, Sawera Nadeem and Imran Abbas in order to appeal the masses.
On the question of release of movie in India, he said, ‘according to my research Manto is ten times published and read in Hindi script as compared to Urdu. Manto is very famous in that part also and we are receiving queries from India; we are trying to release it in India as well if not wide release, but, defiantly in festivals and small sittings’.
On a lighter note, he added, “We were very anxiously looking for the outcome, when the movie went to the censor board, my stomach got disturbed but thankfully the censor board cleared the movie with universal ratings, without objections”.
Sania Saeed, a renowned actress playing an important role in the movie, stated that it took two and a half years to edit the serial into the film, as it was not an easy task. She informed that every story in the film is treated in a different manner with different interpretation and approach.
She said, “Sarmad has not tried to portray Manto, as a saint or an ideal man, just like we want to see our leaders, whom we are inspired by, to become great; he did not try to do so, but attempted to present Manto’s in true essence. This thing requires more efforts”
Movie’s trailer and songs were also screened at the event, which were much appreciated by the audience.
It was released on September 11, 2015 throughout Pakistan. With good critical reviews and positive words of mouth the movie is doing well at the box office.
Discussion on Manto-The movie