The upcoming biographical drama Manto stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role of the writer-author Saddat Hasan Manto!

After Sanju and Soorma, we are going to have another biopic in Bollywood. And this time it is Manto, based on the life of the Indo-Pak writer Saddat Hasan Manto. The film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tahir Bhasin, Rasika Dugal and Rajshri Deshpande.

Even after being based in the era of pre and post-independence, the film does not have much violence and bloodshed scenes. The director of the film, Nandita Das reasons it as she says, “When you think of Manto, you think of raw things – the partition phase, the restlessness in the air these days and you’re almost tempted to show violence and intimate scenes but there is none of that in my movie. Maybe, it was more instinctive on my part to do so but that’s how I envisioned the story. I have been on the other side, too. My first film was ‘Fire’ which was about a relationship between two women. And because it was about a lesbian relationship, it was perceived to be about all things sexual.”

Nawazuddin Siddiqui with Rasika Dugal“In our country, people are just not ready for such things, and 22 years ago, it was even lesser, or maybe it hasn’t changed as much. Everyone is uncomfortable with it. I remember when that film came out, everyone wanted to know wo body double thi ya nahi. I was a newcomer and I became defensive about that and said yes, that was a double in the film. So, when I did Earth with Deepa Mehta, I told her I will do what I am comfortable with. I was more comfortable not showing violence in ‘Manto’,” added on Das.

Talking about the film, it will release on September 21, this year.