Saadat Hasan Manto is celebrated as one of the greatest Urdu short story writers of all times. His bluntness and aggression was legendary. He never spared a word that was needed to tell a story or used any that was superfluous. Weighed down by the world Manto wonders: “Who is the greater writer, God or he?”
To celebrate Manto’s life through a film is to vie to make the impossible possible. Pakistani director/actor Sarmad Sultan Khoosat has had an audacious go at it. Produced by Babar Javed and written by Shahid Nadeem, the film’s screenplay was adapted from Manto's short stories. Directed and starring in the lead role, Khoosat has done a tremendous job overall.
The plot of the film revolves around the life story of Manto (Sarmad Khoosat) who grew up in the showbiz industry of Bombay (now Mumbai) and Lahore. It focuses on the last seven years of writer’s life during which he wrote some of his most controversial stories, such as Thanda Gosht, Toba Tek Singh, License, Upar Neechay aur Darmiyan, Peshawar se Lahore for which Manto had to face charges of obscenity thrice.
The film starts with Suhaee Abro and Vajdan Shah’s bold and beautiful dance that justifies the whole concept of Manto’s writings. Sarmad Khoosat’s acting seems to be weak in the first half of the film. For instance, his aggression appears to be inadequate in various scenes, but in the second part of the film, Khoosat has done justice.
Sania Saeed has played the role of Safia (Manto’s wife). She has been a matchless, outstanding performer throughout the film. Her acting has come across as the most natural and easy going. The film also shows the relationship between Manto and Noor Jehan. Saba Qamar, as Noor Jehan, has failed to do justice to the character by failing to aptly demonstrate the aura and attitude of the great singer. Nimra Bucha as Hamzad had a strong character in the film. She has also done a great job.
The soundtrack including background score are beautiful. Three of four songs are taken from famous poets including Majeed Amjand, Mirza Ghalib and Indian Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar while one is penned down by Mohammed Hanif. The soundtrack of film is praised for its classical genre, strong lyrics and soulful composition.
While there are some very well-composed shots in the movie, especially close-ups, there was definitely some room for improvement as far as cinematography is concerned.
Manto is definitely a film worth seeing. Saadat Hassan Manto’s story is an important one and the film does justice to it. When you walk out of the film, you won’t be thinking about Khoosat’s acting or direction. You’ll be thinking about Manto and will walk away even more enamoured with the legendary writer, inspired to read or revisit his short stories.