Description

Manto is a 2015 Pakistani biographical drama film based on the life of short story writer Saadat Hassan Manto (1912–1955).

Profoundly affected by the 1947 Partition of British India into present-day India and Pakistan and its far-reaching effects on society, Manto led a turbulent existence as he spiraled into a black pit of alcoholism and dementia amid his rising stature as a literary genius. The film follows this remarkably dichotomous journey where, on one hand, he is loved yet often misunderstood by his long-suffering wife Safia and three young daughters, and on the other, he forms fascinating relationships with a rising silver screen star Noorjehan, an emotionally troubled nautch girl Naazo, a scoundrel of a police constable Khudabakhsh, an ailing journalist and his nemesis Chaudhry Mohammad Hussain, and a handful of Lahore Government Mental Hospital inmates with whom he spends a major part of the last couple of years of his life.

Director's Bio

Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, a gifted Pakistani actor, director and script-writer, was born on May 7, 1979, into a family of artists. His mother was an eminent radio personality and his father is a highly respected television and film actor. After completing his Masters in Psychology with a gold medal, Khoosat started working in his father’s production house, which ultimately became the launch pad of his creative journey. He rose to prominence during the year 1999 through the sitcom Shashlick, which he wrote, directed, produced, as well as played the lead in. The show ran for over three years on Pakistan Television and was much loved for its engaging characters and lighthearted humour. In 2002, his first series as a director went on air, titled Tamasha Ghar, the subject matter of which ranged from psychological to social; emotional to historical and metaphysical to fictional. This was followed in 2005 by his first serial as a director Piya Naam Ka Diya, the story of an ageing playback singer and her struggles. Both projects proved to be ground-breaking and won him widespread critical acclaim and cemented his status as one of the leading lights of television.

Preceded By

1. 

   Teacher in a Box (SHORT)

   Tanuj Chopra / USA / 2014 / 15 mins

   A jaded teacher seeks to protect the best interest of one her students who's designed a new product projected to make millions.

   Precedes: Manto (FEATURE)

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