Here Is Everything You Need To Know About Manto, India’s Official Entry To Cannes Film Festival

While the alleys of entertainment are getting all geared up to hit the French Riviera for the most awaited and prestigious Cannes International Film Festival,   Manto has been chosen to be the official entry of India at the festival. The film would be premiering at Cannes though the theatrical release date in the country has not been announced yet.

The trailer and snippets show Nawazudding in his usual stellar self and have intrigued us even more. Here are 5 things you need to know about the film that might bring home some Cannes glory to Bollywood.

Nandita Das Directorial

After directing award-winning films such as Firaaq and In Defence of Freedom, this is going to be Nandita Das’ third directorial venture. Knowing the actress turned director, Manto will surely have the hallmark of brilliance that has become synonymous with Nandita Das.

Not Glorifying

While talking about the film on different occasions the director has maintained that Manto as a film is not an attempt to put the legendary author on a pedestal. The story is simply being told because Manto’s journey as a person is a story that deserves to be told. In the current socio-political landscape, it might resonate with the on-going debate on freedom of speech and expression and especially creative freedom

The Cast

For her film, Nandita has chosen a cast that could not have been more brilliant. Apart from the maestro Nawazuddin himself, the film also stars Tahir Raj Bhasin who wowed us with his baddie actor in Mardaani will be seen playing the 40s Bollywood superstar and Manto’s close confidante Shyam Chaddha while Rasika Duggal who is known for her work in short films and web series would be essaying the role of Manto’s wife Safiah. Rishi Kapoor will also have a cameo in the film

First Biopic on a Writer In Bollywood

Even with Bollywood’s obsession with biopics, it is weird how there isn’t a single biopic made on authors and poets. Manto, in fact, would be the first of its kind in Bollywood which would be a biopic made on the life of an author. However, along with Manto, Bollywood is slowly warming up towards biopic on writers and we will soon be seeing   Abhishek Bachchan playing Sahir Ludhianvi.

Nawaz’s Preparation

Known for his methodical approach, Nawaz is leaving no stones unturned to get under the skin of Manto. He decided to dress like the bard as long as the film was being shot and even changed his bed and re-furbished his room to even make his surroundings similar to that of Manto’s. He said in an interview that by entering into the physical world of Manto, he can penetrate his mind.