Daily Times

Writer and playwright Saadat Hasan Manto was one of the biggest names in Indo-Pak.

He shifted to Pakistan after Independence. Saadat Hasan Manto was born on May 11, 1912 in a middle class Muslim family in Ludhiana and died on January 81, 1955. Manto was not only a short story writer but with that, he wrote radio dramas, essays and a novel as well so he was a novelist as well. In his early 20s, he translated Russian, French and English short stories into Urdu.

During his lifetime he wrote around 20 collections of short stories, five radio dramas, three essays, two sketches and a novel. He wrote about sex and desire, alcoholics and prostitutes due to which he was also charged many times as well.

“If you cannot bear these stories, then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked? I do not even try to cover it, because it’s not my job. That’s the job of dressmakers.”

He was of the point of view that his writings are a reflection to the outer world. Whatever people do around and why feel bad about it if he wrote something about which people are involve. Beside all this manto is considered to be one of the most prominent and remembered figures of Indo Pakistan and is still remembered in good words.

Recently there has a great interest developed in the life of manto which resulted in the form of a movie written my “Sarmad Khosat” and had a good review all round.

Recently it has been revealed that following Pakistan, India is also coming up with a movie on manto casting Nawaz Ud Din Siddique as “Saadat Hassan Manto”. They have also released a clip of the movie. Recently which can be found on YouTube as well.

To our thought it is very surprising to believe that Nandita Das (Indian Director) is going to focus on the same areas of manto’s life which are already focused by sarmad khosat in his writing.

According to the normal citizen of Pakistan who believe that Pakistan is always on the footsteps of others following their work and coming up with nothing of their own. Here is a clear indication and an answer to the objection that one of the most watched and leading film industry in the world is now on its footsteps of following what is a masterpiece written by a Pakistani author, actor and director ”Sarmad Khosat”

‘If you cannot bear these stories, then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked? I do not even try to cover it, because it’s not my job. That’s the job of dressmakers’

When we talk about Pakistan film industry we see a struggling and developing industry on its way to success crossing the obstacles and moving on. Whereas on the other hand for majority of people the industry does not exist and also if it does it hardly makes any difference because they do not consider it as a developing industry or the way it is progressed through the hard times and the progress it is making today. While on the other hand when we talk about Bollywood (Indian Film Industry) is a developed industry and has been a success for as long as we remember (over decades) and people eagerly watch movies and also look upon them.

For such an industry who have crossed the borders to Hollywood now is now working on a project for which we have already set a bench mark and a character ”Sarmad Khosat” has already given life too will be a challenging task. Although the movie was a drama film biography and will be seen soon on television in the form of a serial/drama but still first was released as a movie.

This is for the very first time that Bollywood is coming up with project or idea that has already been pictured by our cinema industry and not only an idea but a project which brought much appreciations and confidence on the acting skills of people. This is a clear indication of the successful acting and talent that rest in Pakistan.

Many Pakistani actors have made their debut in the Indian film industry with many leading stars of the Indian industry such as ”Sharukh Khan, Farhan Khan, Imran Hashmi, Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kpaoor etc. this proves the presence of talent and we have many successful projects in India which were a great success and hit. This is again an indication that we do not follow but there are stages many such stages that proved the height of talent in Pakistan.

Similarly there are fashion trends which we lead. According to a news a very popular and cute Indian leading Actress ”Alia Bhatt” was spotted wearing the same dress, a white jump suit previously worn by ”Mahira Khan” for the promotion of her debut film in Bollywood ”Raees”. That is another accomplishment for Pakistan and the star icon ”Mahira Khan”

The project of manto proved to be a success and opened a new gate of cinema in Pakistan and also proved to be an excellent source of connection in the two Countries leading to the friendly relation and the exchange of talent among the two countries.

Bollywood is a remarkable leading industry and is on the way of success for a long span of time and have covered all areas of life and world in the form of movies/films but still that does not mean the talent in Pakistan is less or not compatible and the answer to the question lies above.

“Success is not final and failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts,” he had said.

The writer is a journalist and can be reached at syedkumailnaqvi5@gmail.com