Manto Movie Review

Ok so at first I knew nobody (most of the people around me) will watch this movie with me so I didn’t asked anyone.

I just heard people saying – while I remained silent – things like;

‘Are we mad? We’ll watch such a depressing film?’

‘People who are free or have nothing else to do will only watch Manto, not us, we have a lot more to watch obviously!’

‘No! I will never spend my money on this film!’

And much more..

So I just asked a friend whom I knew is the only who will have some interest or love for Manto. And will be the only who’ll watch it with me or even if he has no interest, he’ll still watch because I just asked him to. He’s that kind of friend you know.

Movies like Manto can never be watched with people (all in my percpective) who have no affiliation with the societal problems, issues and utter realities in short. Throughout the movie, they’ll keep on bugging you, reminding you that it’s all your fault and you made them watch it and they’re getting bored and annoyed and want-to-kill-you and things like that. This happened with me when I watched A Beautiful Mind by Ron Howard.

Manto is something that shakes you inside out. It’s a story of Sadat Hasan Manto – 20th century controversial writer who faced charges of obscenity thrice. The actual story runs after intermission of the film.

I kept my left fist clenched afterwards till the end and since I have defensive finger nails (quite long and sharp), they printed out on my palm leaving behind the deep frozen blood because I clenched really tight. Tears coming and going at intervals. Extreme goosepumps all over and heart beating my chest. I could even hear the palpitating heartbeat up in my ears. I don’t know why I felt the way I felt. I just think it’s something that shakes you even if you don’t want to be shaken up. I have no more words to explain it.

Manto is a feeling! It’s a piece of art. And it has shaken Pakistan Cinema, as well as many hearts.

All in all it is a hauntingly moving biopic which brings back Manto to life and will leave you thinking about him and his life for hours if not days.

Manto – The Movie

Blockbuster.

6th of October, 2015

7 comments

  1. it was a long serial made for tv which after adding some added scenes released as a movie, that’s why cinematography gets a little less marks on it, movies of this kind is what Pakistani cinemas need, a majority of people never even knew who Manto was or some of them who knew majority had this negative perspective of him because of his open writing, movies like these highlight and showcase what Manto really was, a visionary, a skeptic, a revolutionary, a father, a husband, a thinker… the only thing i would liked was if they added his pre partition years , basically the prime of his life. all in all a great effort by Sarmad and his team.

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  3. Loved your review and the way you’ve described what you felt. “Manto is a feeling! It’s a piece of art. And it has shaken Pakistan Cinema, as well as many hearts.” That, especially.
    It’s on my to-watch list. I am still looking for a friend to watch this one with. xD

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