The trailer of the much-awaited film Manto starring acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui released on August 15, on the occasion of Independence Day.
Helmed by noted actress-filmmaker Nandita Das, the film traces the life of writer Saadat Hasan Manto, and follows the most tumultuous years in the life of the iconoclastic writer and those of the countries- India and Pakistan, where he inhabited and chronicled.
The most striking thing about the trailer is that it has been released by the makers on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day, so that we pause, reflect and contemplate if we are free at all.
Instead of celebrating the day, the trailer insists you to introspect. What does freedom really mean? Are we free in true sense?
The trailer begins with Manto (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) raising questions which are as relevant today as they were 70 years ago, when the poet was alive.
Manto, standing in a courtroom questions why he can't tell/write the truth as it is, and explains that his stories are a mirror of the society.
The trailer showcases Manto as a straight forward man who doesn't shy away from mirroring the realities of life and speaking against what is wrong.
While setting the tone of the trailer, Manto says, “Jab gulaam the, toh azaadi ka khwab dekhte the, aur ab azaad hai, toh kaunsa khwab dekhenge (When we were enslaved, we would dream of independence, Now that we are free, what will we dream of?)."
The trailer is unrelenting as it shows Manto’s struggle with censorship, especially after his work Thanda Gosht (Cold Meat) was released.
It also talks about how Manto was often charged and tried six times with obscenity because of his unapologetic writing.
The poet's philosophy about female characters has also been delved deeper into.
In the film, when Manto talks about freedom of expression and emphasizes the need to communicate it, he is asked by the authorities to understand his responsibilities of a writer as well.
In the trailer of Manto, Nandita Das nails the feel of the era and the poet's ethos.
Nawazuddin, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama and round glasses, becomes Manto that most of us don't know about, yet admire.
Manto which has already been selected for Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival amongst others also stars Rasika Dugal, Rishi Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Ila Arun and Rajshri Deshpande in pivotal roles, with Javed Akhtar making his screen debut.
The film is slated to release on September 21.
