Manto Movie Review: Manto Is The Exemplary Story Of Recognizing Your Courage And Finding Your Voice Amidst Darkness!

Manto Movie Review: Manto Is The Exemplary Story Of Recognizing Your Courage And Finding Your Voice Amidst Darkness!
Starring : Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rasika Dugal 
Directed By : Nandita Das
4/5 Stars

How difficult it is to fathom the thought, the perception of writers?  They often tend to cloud themselves in the curtains of their fictional world and characters keeping the shreds of reality at par. They often battle with their other existence wagering their sanity. Saadat Hassan Manto, the controversial Urdu poet and author thrived in the purity of his world of fiction but much of his works took inspirations from the bitterness of the harsh reality that he witnessed. As GK Chesterton quoted, 'Literature is a luxury, fiction is a necessity'. 

Filmmaker Nandita Das has intricately woven this raging detachment and distress which Manto experienced with utmost integrity. The director narrates his fight against all odds against his voice, writings and thoughts being mercilessly silenced and censored which also caused him an immense agitation and unrest. Manto's penning down the plight of the prostitutes, religious turmoils, India Pakistan partition and riots and the prevailing social discord  is displayed in the most alluring way. The spectacular production design by Rita Ghosh and the prolific cinematography by Kartik Vijay adds to the aura of the pre and post Independence Day era.  

Nawazuddin Siddiqui breathes life into his character and makes us empathize the pain, anguish and torment of Manto by stirring your very qualms. The story becomes a little rigid in some moments but the brilliant interplay between the lead characters and the passionate performances only adds to the beauty of this one. What is phenomenal is the splendid court scene where he defends his controversial work 'Thanda Ghosh' which also displays the praise worthy cameo of Javed Akhtar.  The aftermath, bloodshed and the pitiful shreds of humanity after the partition has been articulately performed. Rasika Duggal as Safiya, Manto's wife and Tahir Raj Bhasin as the charming yesteryear actor Shyam Sundar are also impeccable and at their realistic best and portray their tender relationship with Manto with full honesty. 

The film stirs up a feeling of discovering your inner courage and 'Mantoiyat' to stand up for yourself. Nandita depicts the intellect and consciousness of Manto as a human being in the most breathtaking way. The pain of separation Manto goes through from his country and his friends which makes him succumb to alcohol and addiction invokes your conscience. Watch Manto to relieve, feel and invoke the courage and spirit of Manto.