A humble tribute to Manto

LAHORE
Virtually the entire galaxy of Lollywood and Manto lovers thronged the red carpet of “Manto” the movie distributed by Geo films which can easily be called the biggest premiere of 2015 till now.
The cinema was packed beyond its capacity. The movie theatre roared with applause every now and then as meticulously crafted script and powerful performance of the actors enthralled the audience. The lights were switched on amidst deafening sound of applause and many broke into tears with the sheer intensity of the movie. “I can’t really tell how I feel right now, I guess this is how it feels to live a dream,” said Sarmad Khoosat, the director and lead actor playing Saadat Hassan Manto in the movie. This movie is a translation of my passion for Manto, I’m nervous because I’m not sure if I’ve been able to do justice to the phenomenon that he was. The generation of today’s Pakistan has learned to question everything around them, that’s something our generation did not have, and thus I believe they should be introduced to Manto, who was ahead of his time and did exactly that, he said.
The cinema lobby was packed and there was hardly any stepping space as the stars descended at the red carpet one after the other. Nighat and Nuzhat, daughters of Manto, said it’s an amazing and moving moment to see so many people who love and appreciate Manto as their own. They said Manto was somebody who rebelled against constraints to expression and truth telling, those are the values we ought to fight for if we truly appreciate what Manto stood for.
Sania Saeed, playing role of Manto’s wife, said the movie is a humble effort to tell the story of Manto, someone who told the stories of so many individuals of the society we live in, and highlighted the plights and conflicts of their lives. Veteran artiste and father of Sarmad Khoosat, Irfan Khoosat said this movie enables the viewers to see the world through Manto’s eyes.
To experience the reality of the era he lived in as he did. “It is just awe-inspiring when aesthetics, celebrated literature and innovative film-making come together,” said Syed Noor. When I used to say that Pakistani Cinema will relive the days of its glory everybody mocked it, but today, we are all here and we are experiencing it, witnessing it happen in front of us, with our youth creating such masterpieces, he said.
The movie itself captures Manto’s ability to see beyond the apparent; the sociological dilemmas faced by everyday people and expose the naked reality of human behaviour and cultural hypocrisy through absorbing pieces of literature. The cinematography and editing of the movie in addition to a great job done by the director are praiseworthy. Veteran actor Ghulam Mohiyyuddin said there is a need to make more of such movies that celebrate our intellectuals. Such movies provide our artistes to perform better and give the audience even more than just entertainment.
Sohail Ahmed and Noorul Hassan said this movie is a much needed addition to the revival of cinema in Pakistan and it will definitely set the bar high for the hardworking producers, directors and actors of Lollywood.
Hadiqa Kiyani and Meesha Shafi praised Sarmad Khoosat and said it is encouraging and exciting at the same time to see such purposeful moviemaking that introduces the young generation to our legends.