EXCLUSIVE: Nandita Das on Nawazuddin Siddiqui: He completely submitted to the way I wanted to see Manto

Nandita Das has been a part of some unconventional films like Fire, Earth, Bawandar, Before The Rains. She was very keen in taking direction and stepped into the director's shoes for the first time in 2008. Das made her directorial debut with the film Firaaq. Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Suri, Deepti Naval and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the film was based on the after effects of the infamous 2002 Gujarat riots. Firaaq went one to win at least 20 awards including two National Film Awards in the Best Art Direction (Gautam Sen) and Best Editing (A Sreekar Prasad) categories.

After 10 years, Nandita Das is back to direction with a biopic on Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto's life. Titled as Manto, the film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role. Although the film released in 2018 (September 21), the overall process took 6 years. Last year, Nandita Das released a short film on Manto called In Defence of Freedom. The short film also had Nawaz in the lead role. This year, the film Manto was premiered at 2018 Cannes Film Festival. 

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Pinkvilla, we asked Nandita about her film Manto, about Nawazuddin Siddiqui and what were the challenges she faced while making Manto.

What was the reason you decided to make a film on Manto?

Because I felt that Manto provided me with an opportunity to respond to what is happening today. Our identities are so inextricably linked to our caste, religion or nationality. All of this is dividing us more than unifying us. And Manto talks about the humanity and universal human experiences. And it also gives us a champion for freedom of expression. I felt Manto would be very relevant today.

Did you have any apprehensions while making a film on Manto who was considered as a controversial figure?

I think it's a story about an artist and writer. It's about his own personal and how he continued to speak the truth honestly and fearlessly even in the worst of time. He was controversial then and I think he is a celebrated author today as he should be. What we wrote about women, sex workers, partition, we all agree with it. 

Why did you think Nawazuddin Siddiqui is apt to play Manto's character?

As an actor, Nawaz has an amazing range. Manto had many contradictions and to show those paradoxes you need an actor who will make it believable. There is an interpretation of Manto but obviously, it can only come out with an actor who portrays with honesty. Manto has amazing eyes and Nawaz has amazing eyes too. I think no one better than Nawaz can bring out that truth. 

Is he a director's actor?

I think so. In some sense, he completely submitted to the way I wanted to see Manto. And of course, he brought more to it with his talent and life experiences and honesty to it. He trusted me and I am grateful for that faith in me. 

What were the challenges you faced while making a film on Manto whose writings are so vast and complex?

Difficulties were galore. This was probably one of the most challenging experiences of my life. It's six years of hard work, it was challenging to write, to take from his writings which were so vast and all of them were in Urdu. Some of the writings weren't translated, some of it was not available in Devnagari. So, the process of writing the script was very difficult. Then to find the locations, how to recreate that era in a modern setup, then to get a cast and crew to do it, so every aspect of it was challenging. But there were also great highs and joys, the kind of people I got to work with, we have a fantastic ensemble cast. Everyone was very committed.

What is your opinion on Nawaz's performance in Manto?

I'm too close to it. I know he is fantastic. When you edit, you are looking at every aspect of it. There's not a blink in the eye that you miss. Whoever has seen Nawaz as Manto is absolutely loving him. 

The film received a lot of positive response at several international festivals. Does that make you feel any pressure about how it will be perceived by people in India?

There are the only two options of feeling pressured. You have done a film with genuine intent and honesty and now it's out there. Now, everyone will have their verdict on it. They will all judge it depending on their experiences. We sometimes box this film that this is a festival film so it is going to be an intellectual film, it is going to be a serious film. I think it's an engaging film. If you go with an open mind and heart, you will connect with the story. It's a story that's a mirror to our own contradictions and our own struggles.