COURTESY Times of India.
After Pakistani actor/director Sarmad Sultan Khoosat made waves with his exceptional portrayal of Manto in the recent biopic, Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan has also expressed his desire to play the role of the legendary Pakistani writer.
Indian actress and filmmaker Nandita Das, who is returning to direction after six years with a film based on Saadat Hasan Manto, revealed that Irrfan has shown interest in playing the lead role of her upcoming film.
She divulged that the internationally acclaimed actor is a Manto fan himself and has read a lot of his work. She believes Irrfan, as an actor, is a sensitive person and will be able to portray the character effortlessly.
“Irrfan has shown serious interest in the film. The whole film rests on Manto. It is an amazing role for any actor,” Nandita was quoted as saying during the National Film Development Corporation’s Film Bazaar in Goa, reports Times of India.
“In fact, when I spoke to Irrfan he said for this kind of role, ‘any actor would rise from the grave to do it’. He is a very sensitive actor. He himself has read a lot of Manto. Manto speaks to him at a personal level just as it speaks to me. So I am hoping that we will be able to work together,” she added.
Speaking about the character, the director said, “Manto is the protagonist. Through the film I want to say that everything that was relevant in his time is sadly still relevant today. Whether it’s the struggle for identity or freedom of expression. Many of the issues that he grappled with are the same today. His stories are extremely powerful, so was his life.”
Nandita has also expressed her desire to shoot some parts of the film in Pakistan. “I want to try and shoot there. For a few days at least. I want to collaborate with Pakistan. I know in this climate it sounds odd. But I think if Manto can’t bring us together, then who will? Especially in the cultural space,” she added.
The script of the film has been finalised and it is slated to go on floors in August next year.