Nandita Das says disappointed 'Manto' will not be releasing in Pakistan

 

Indian filmmaker Nandita Das says she is disappointed that Manto will not be released in Pakistan.

“Disappointed that Manto will not be seen in theatres in Pakistan. I was keen as he belongs to both countries equally,” Das tweeted.

Based on the life and times of the celebrated Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto, the film follows the most tumultuous four years in the life of the writer and the two countries he inhabits – India and Pakistan.

Das also shared the link of an article explaining why the film won’t be hitting cinemas across the border.

“I just got the news that Manto was not passed by their Censor Board. The reasons cited are that ‘the film has anti-Partition narrative theme and explicit scenes, which is against the norms of Pakistani society’,” she wrote.

Das added, “In the last six years that I have been working on Manto, not only his family but many others in Pakistan have been waiting anxiously to see it on the big screen. So while this explanation is in defence of freedom, it is also for them.”

In reply to Das, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that he is trying to pursue importers to bring Manto to Pakistan.

"I am trying to pursue importers to bring this movie to Pakistan, I hope someone will definitely take risk of showing a less commercial film to the viewers," Fawad tweeted.

Das thanked the minister for his efforts and tweeted shukriya at the minister.

Manto is on now streaming on Netflix worldwide.