Sarmad Khoosat talks about Nandita Das’ Manto

It was just last week that Nandita Das officially confirmed that Manto, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role, will not release in Pakistan. Despite all her efforts, the biopic on one of the most controversial Urdu literature writers of the subcontinent, Saadat Hassan Manto, will not see the light of day in Pakistan.Though Nandita Das is quite disappointed that her movie was not cleared for release in Pakistan, she’s grateful for all the support. However, in a recent turn of events, a debate has started on Twitter whether Sarmad Khoosat’s Manto is better than Nandita Das’ version.In response, the Indian filmmaker took to social media and clarified that she does not wish for the Indian Manto to be pitted against the Pakistani Manto. “The last thing we want to do to #Manto and his legacy is to make it India vs. Pakistan or Indian Manto vs. Pakistani Manto or Sarmad Khoosat vs. Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In fact, I feel there should be many Mantos. More the merrier!” she wrote on her Facebook handle and also posted pictures with Sarmad Khoosat and Sania Saeed.She added, “I am very happy that two films, featuring different times in his life have come to us. I am sure, so is Sarmad. We both have had the pleasure of sharing our respective perspectives and experiences of making Manto, both in Delhi and Lahore, in 2015 and 2016, before I even shot my film. So let’s not trivialise the conversation. Manto can be by all and for all.”Sarmad Khoosat agreed with Nandita Das and tweeted, “Unfortunately, I’ll have to watch it on Netflix and I must admit I am equally nervous and excited. Sarhad say azaad hai yeh pyaar. Manto Zindabad.”In another tweet Khoosat said, “Well, this social media warfare is agonizing and rather trivial most of the times but I must reiterate that MY Manto got a lot of ‘acceptance’ and appreciation in India. We travelled with the film from Delhi to Mumbai to Kolkata to Goa and Jaipur.”With Das’ Manto releasing on Netflix earlier this year, Khoosat also urged for the Pakistani version to be released online. 

from The News International - Instep Today http://bit.ly/2VaFU82