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I plan to recreate Manto’s world around me: Nawazuddin Siddiqui on stepping into the writer's role

I plan to recreate Manto’s world around me: Nawazuddin Siddiqui on stepping into the writer's role

The Indian actor plans to leave no stone unturned in his quest to play Manto for his upcoming film.
21 Feb, 2017

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is taking method acting to play Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto quite seriously it seems.

According to DNA India, the actor shared what he's doing to prep for his role as the Urdu writer: "Thanks to Nandita’s research on Manto, I feel I know him well enough to get into his mind and body. The body part is relatively easier. I need to dress the way he did, and as long as I’m playing him, I need to live my life the way he did. Alone. Writing words that created magic on paper."

The actor plans to free himself of all other commitments now that Raees is out. "I will shut myself away from all communication," he insists.

Also read: Nandita Das on why Manto was the greatest flagbearer of freedom of expression

"I plan to recreate Manto’s world around me. I will have my room re-furnished with the things that Manto lived with. I will dress like him, try to eat the food that he ate, sleep on the kind of bed that he did, wear the kind of clothes he did and talk like him. If I enter Manto’s physical world, I feel I can penetrate his mind," he adds.

Nawaz starts shooting for the Nandita Das directorial in March in Mumbai.

"As long as I play him I won’t be taking on any other project. I want to do justice to the awe-inspiring personality of this great man. And to be able to do this I am willing to make any sacrifice required," he says.

Comments

BNJ Feb 21, 2017 10:04am
He will nail the character perfectly. What an actor !
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@Mirza Feb 21, 2017 11:21am
he is only actor who can portray that character.
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Nurul huda Feb 21, 2017 11:59am
If i am not wrong a pakistani movie was made based on this legend in the same name "Manto". An Indian movie is made based on him. we will find out in coming days that which one is more realistic, more success not only in box office but creativity & utilise of talents also.
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Aamer Feb 21, 2017 12:54pm
Pakistan already produced Munto and all actors did a great job; so why bother with Indian version of Manto.
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Aamer Feb 21, 2017 03:00pm
The Pakistani version of Manto was very good; all actors did a great job so why are we so bothered about the Indian version?
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isha Feb 22, 2017 12:01am
why are we giving BW movies so much space in news when not even our poets are allowed to read their work in their festivals
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Talha Feb 22, 2017 04:24am
@isha Agreed.
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Muzaffar Tanweer Feb 22, 2017 08:33am
1st Manto was played by Pakistani tv actor. His name was SM Salim. He did excellent job. Wish I can find those dramas.
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TechScribe Feb 22, 2017 10:45am
This guy is an amazing actor. I am sure he'll do justice to Manto.
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hyderabadi Feb 22, 2017 11:36am
@isha please point out if I'm wrong but what I read Rekhta Foundation said that their hands were tied. They needed permission from govt. for having them as participants while they didn't need permission for them as guests. If they waited for permission, Indian govt. would have delayed it and they didn't want to leave out the Pakistani poets. The least they could do was to invite them as guests.
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