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Nandita Das with her film Manto at DLF-2018

 Nandita Das with her film Manto at DLF-2018

Bidhan Chandra Das

      On November 8th (Thursday) Nandita Das, an Indian filmmaker film Manto screened at the 8th edition of Dhaka Literary Festival (DLF) at 16:15 AKSB auditorium of Bangla Academy.

Photo: Bidhan Chandra Das

Bangla Academy premises, bringing some of the biggest contemporary literary minds from across the world. When I reached there I saw a huge crowd outside of the auditorium. I waited one and a half hours at the entrance. It was difficult for me to grab a seat over there. But finally I managed to watch her Manto.

Basically Manto portrays the life of Sadat Hasan Manto that has become noticeable. It is seen in the middle of Manto's life and part of the story of "cold meat". Inspired by the life and writings of the Indian-Pakistani writer of the 20th century, the film has been well-received at both festivals and theatres. It is the second feature film by Das, who is known for her well-sketched portrayals of politically conscious stories. Her first film as a director was Firaaq (2008), which was set one month after the 2002 violence in Gujarat, India. 

Manto portrays the four crucial years of the Muslim writer's life from 1946 to 1950. The timeline is also significant because it follows the Indian independence from British rule and the Partition of India and Pakistan, which resulted in the killing of over a million in religious riots and displacement of about 14 million Hindus and Muslims of the country. Manto was heavily depressed and perplexed by the situation. Many of Manto's violent stories sprang from the horrors he witnessed during the Partition. The film also sets the background to his heart wrenching decision to leave his beloved Bombay and move to Pakistan.

Rajshree Deshpande recorded the role of Manto in the movie “Manto”, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, starring her wife Safia, starring actor Sheam Chaddar, Tahir Vasin and writer Ismat Chuathayee. It is one of the big attractions of Dhaka Lit Fest.

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