Images

I'm equally nervous and excited for Nandita Das' Manto: Sarmad Khoosat

I'm equally nervous and excited for Nandita Das' Manto: Sarmad Khoosat

Khoosat, who played the writer in his version of Manto, is highly interested in watching Das' directorial!
19 Dec, 2018

Talk about cross border love.

Nandita Das has been actively trying to fight for her film Manto's release in Pakistan, but the local censor board has called her film "anti-Partition" and "against norms of Pakistani society" and banned its release in the country.

However, some are pushing a nationalistic narrative around the ban by creating an Indian Manto vs Pakistani Manto divide. To which Das took to Facebook and shared:

"The last thing we want to do to Manto and his legacy is to make it India vs Pakistan or Indian Manto vs Pakistani Manto or Sarmad Khoosat Official vs Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In fact I feel there should be many Mantos. More the merrier!"

The Indian director also posted a throwback with Sarmad and Sania Saeed, both of who were cast in the Pakistani version of Manto, and added, "I am very happy that two films, featuring different times in his life have come to us. I am sure, so is Sarmad. We both have had the pleasure of sharing our respective perspectives and experiences of making Manto, both in Delhi and Lahore, in 2015 and 2016, before I even shot my film. So let’s not trivialise the conversation. Manto can be by all and for all."

Irrespective of people's opinions, Khoosat himself responded to Das and wrote on Twitter: "Absolutely NOT! much love for u @nanditadas and @Nawazuddin_S... unfortunately I’ll have to watch it on Netflix and I must admit I am equally nervous and excited. Sarhad say azaad hai yeh pyar. Manto Zindabad.

Let's hope that ends the tug of war between "Pakistani Manto and Indian Manto."

Comments

realist Dec 19, 2018 08:54pm
Nandita is right and rational about both Mantos. Enjoy and learn from them. Throw the rubbish out.
Recommend
Daulat Dec 19, 2018 10:03pm
This reminds us of our history and the wires which connect us to India. Unfortunately, we are not yet willing to accept Indian history as our origin.
Recommend
Shahid Haneef Dec 20, 2018 02:06am
Bring Indian actresses to Pakistan. Make love not war...
Recommend
Mike Dec 20, 2018 04:34am
Excellent film, nothing anti Pakistan. Please release it.
Recommend
Shakil hashmi Dec 20, 2018 05:41am
In already got a Manto copy from a youth through WIFI DIRECT method. However I am waiting its release on big screen. NS is my favourite artist.
Recommend