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    Film Review: Manto

    Film Manto Review

    Written by: Salma Chaudhry
    Posted on: September 13, 2015 |

    Saadat Hasan Manto, one of the greatest short story writers of the sub-continent, was known for his hatred of society’s hypocrisies, the manipulation of women, and violence in the name of religion or culture. Manto always raised his voice for humanity and never hesitated to write bold narratives about the society he lived in. He would challenge the so-called protectors of society by questioning social injustices in a way no other writer could. Such unashamed truthfulness comes with a price, unfortunately, and Manto too had to pay the price of his brutal honesty. But his legacy lives on, and as the valiant writer once wrote about himself, "Saadat Hasan will die one day, but Manto never will", he is definitely alive in books, literature, on television, and now for the first time, on the big screen as well.

    Directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, who also plays the lead role in the film, Manto is a special kind of cinematic experience. The film begins with a scene based in Lahore’s mental hospital, where Manto is being treated with electric shocks like many other “mentally disturbed patients”. But Manto’s empowering influence on all the other patients begins to trouble the authorities, as he speaks up against injustice wherever he goes. Hence, they decide to discharge him.

    Film Manto Review

    The plot reveals Manto’s struggle as a progressive writer and the hard-to-digest stories that he wrote, especially for people bent on diluting the realities of society and brushing injustices under the carpet. Through powerful dialogues and wonderful acting, the film exposes how this great writer, after producing some of the most amazing pieces of art, embarked on a voyage of self-destruction. As someone who has read and admired Manto’s work for years, the smooth transition from Manto’s life into his stories was a treat to watch. The movie became more relatable with Manto’s beautiful prose running through the back of my mind.

    The film is based in Lahore, Manto’s home after partition, and advances gracefully through the beautifully written dialogues by Shahid Nadeem, with a central focus on Manto’s stories that reveal powerful characters metaphorically pinioned together, as they all question deception and discrimination in society. Sogandhi, Toba, Sakina and Ishar Singh in the film are all characters inspired by Manto’s surroundings. He didn’t just make them up – they all existed in society in one form or another, and the movie depicts that exquisitely. But what makes the movie exceptional is the fact that the director’s approach is simple yet intricate enough to make your overall experience incredibly captivating.

    Film Manto Review

    The movie also depicts Manto’s personal life and recalls how he was a loving husband and an affectionate father who loved his daughters. Sarmad Khoosat does complete justice to the larger-than-life storyteller’s own life story, delivering each act with appropriate pace and disposition. Sarmad quite skillfully astonishes the audience by forcing them to reconsider any and all predetermined views they may have had about Manto or his stories, crafting something that is multifaceted, hypnotic, and distinctively theirs.

    The stellar cast includes Sania Saeed as Safiya/Begum Manto (who is as usual brilliant in her act), Saba Qamar as Madam Noor Jehan, Adnan Jaffar as Qudrat Ullah Shahab, Shamoon Abbasi as Ishar Singh, as well as Irfan Khoosat, Mahira Khan, Faisal Qureshi, Nadia Afghan, Savera Nadeem, Nimra Bucha, Tipu Sharif, Arjumand Rahim, Hina Khawaja Bayat and Rehan Sheikh in captivating roles. For me, music is not the highlight of this film, but ‘Aah ko Chahiye’, a reprise version of Mirza Ghalib's ghazal sung by Ali Sethi, definitely touches your heart.

    Film Manto Review

    Manto’s knack for classification is splendid. The movie is merciless in its depiction of the flaws and eccentricities of individuals, just like the characters Manto created through his pen. These characters have been outlined in the film with gallant strokes, without any attempt to tone down their stark colors.

    Overall, Manto is an amazing effort – one that will definitely prove to be a pivotal production for our film industry. The movie is pure, dark, powerful, humane, clever, and deeply intense. Walking into the cinema, I anticipated a good movie. Walking out, I knew I had seen a great one.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021