Saadat Hasan Manto aka "Manto" was not just a man but a mirror to the societal issues, happenings and diplomacy and at places mockery as well. Manto was that inner voice which no one ever wanted to listen to; he was the reflection which everyone tried to hide from others, to keep their personalities clean and spotless. For many, Manto was a riddle and for many he was eccentric. But who Manto actually was is a question that is still raised in the mind of many of his readers and followers. If you really want to know who and what MANTO was watch MANTO. Manto is the tale of famous URDU writer who is not limited to Indo- Pak but also across the globe with highest number of translated publications. The mind which came up with countless ideas, characters, messages and tales on literally daily basis even after suffering from peer pressure, governmental bans and court cases can only be give one title i.e. genius. The movie revolves around Manto, his life, family, friends and his tales. How Manto was released from Mental Hospital and then again sent back to it is what Manto the film is all about. As Manto is based on reality, the storyline is as realistic as possible. Performance wise, Sarmad Khoosat as Manto is remarkable, he gives a calculated performance. Thumbs up for not going overboard and not playing underdog! Manto is by far the best performance of Sarmad Khoosat – hands down. Sania Saeed is the most dependable actress right from the beginning of her career i.e. Sitara Aur Mehrunnisa. She is seen composed, calm, quiet and very natural in every single shot. Sabah Qamar as Noor-e-Jehaan is not as earnest as she could have been. One can spot that "she's acting". There are 4 highlights of Manto The Film, which Pakistani cinema has not witnessed for ages. Bold topics (not vulgar) were penned by Manto and this was one of the reasons why most tried to ban him. Showing eroticism on Pakistani screen is a baby in an incubator. Hats off to the entire team for writing, acting, executing and not crossing the line – that's not a usual thing. "Mehrum" is a song which unleashes the sensuality with nothing but camera work. The title track of the movie is flawless. It's rare to watch a movie that is backed with script that radiates beauty of a language; Manto secretes the beauty of Urdu. For those, who love Urdu language, will definitely love every other dialogue and phrase from the movie. Music of Manto is apt. No more, no less. The music supports the lyrics and vocals – big time. Emotional outbursts and finest detailing of expressions is vaguely seen in movies these days. Manto offers both in abundance. It's a movie with power packed emotional scenes including gestures, looks and most definitely dialogues. It's hard to recall any Pakistani movie which showcased multiple tales in one story, Manto's flawlessness lies in smartly sprinkling different tales from Manto's pen. Stories like Tooba Tek Singh, Hattuk, Thanda Gosht, Ooper Neechay Aur Darmiaan and Khol Do are efficiently woven in the main script. This deserves applauding. The only places where Manto could have scored well include the missing aura of filmmaking. There's nothing grand about Manto in terms of picturization. The other thing is, the movie could be chopped a little more like 10 – 15 minutes. Manto is by far the most authentic, genuine, impressive and faultless movie which Pakistan has produced. Those who support revival of Pakistani Cinema, Manto will be a treat for you.
15 Reviews
So Manto !
UsmanSyed2 October 2015
The rebellious writer that challenged everything gets a deserving movie. To be honest i was ready to be disappointed when i walked into the cinema as my experience with Waar wasn't very good to put it in light words. The movie is shot and directed brilliantly with some of the best camera work i have seen in a Pakistani movie. The soundtrack of this movie kinda shakes your core and really submerges you into the movie.Being a Ghalib fan i must say the modern renditions of the classic ghazals are not that bad (Jagjit Singh still owns it though). The acting of the movie is very good in fact i was very surprised when Fasial Qureshi showed up. He in his screen time of 5 minutes totally kills it and steals the spotlight, this guy is like the Leo Dicaprio of Pakistani cinema (TV dramas included). Sarmad Khosa's acting gets better as the movie progresses and he delivers some of his best acting in the last 10-20 minutes of the movie. The only gripe i have with this movie is that the sudden tonal changes catch you off guard and makes it confusing. For one second you get a funny scene and the very next scene gets so dark that you just go from "haha" to "WTF?" in 2 seconds. The movie has some flow problems, there were some sudden changes in scenes that i couldn't understand. Also it doesn't quiet explain the character of Manto as it should.But having said that this movie is definitely worth a watch or 2 at your local cinema and deserves all the praise its getting not like that over hyped WAAR which was a complete disaster. Bilal Lashari take some lessons from Sarmad Khosa on how to direct a movie please.
MANTO is astounding....
waqasahmedkhokhar28 September 2015
MANTO is intense & dark just as his life and his stories were. It is a set of nicely arranged stories that he wrote running simultaneously with the incidents occurred to him in his life. The most important thing about this biopic is that it has all the spice for those who know #MANTO already and for those who have read him using the wide spectrum of intellect and it has NOTHING for those who don't have anything to do with reading or watching hard hitting written materials and the people who pen down such pieces. So no problem if you are the one who is looking for a power packed fun package, go for something else. There are many other movies being shown and they are looking fine too. Lastly, just one thing to say, hats off to #Sarmad & team for such a brilliant piece of work.
#MantoZindabad
#MantoZindabad
Thought Provoking and Riveting
urslan13 September 2015
I have yet to see a Movie that is as thought provoking as this one, and I have seen 1000s of Hollywood and Bollywood movies, but this beats them squarely! The Duel, between Man and Woman in the Title at the beginning was so good that the Ticket was justified in first 5 minutes, all that followed was Priceless! Any Art form and Family life does not go very well, especially if the Artist is dedicated to his / her field. This is another aspect of movie which is emotionally captivating, how Manto struggles to balance his family with his brilliance as a writer. Everyone watching this movie must ask themselves, are we really what we claim to be? Will we be able to stay Human, if we are given a chance to act without fear of Law?
Literary masterpiece !
syedalibusiness14 September 2015
Manto is first in many ways : life sketch, characterization ,soul-ful depiction of an era ,editing,background score ,& Manto's ethos blended with the pangs of partition,migration & social dis-array have been exhibited in a manner which was hitherto unknown to our cinema. Sarmad deserves a continuous applause for his strength & delicacy at the same time .he brings out the pathos so efficiently that the audience do not realise their minds turning into souls & realising that they have been served with a master-piece . The scene in which Manto's wife lights up a cigeratte for him actually leads to a performance by Sarmad which can be compared with any great performance on the screen.Such a great work has yet not been delivered by the Indian cinema which is rich in experiment & resources. Sarmad & his team have treated us with an artistic vision & presentation.HATS OFF TO THE TEAM OF MANTO !
Amazing, awesome,captivating and brilliant movie experience
iqbalnaeem-5175812 September 2015
A must see biography for mature audience brilliantly portrayed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat .Perfomances by all actors were excellent, beautiful directions and editing backed up by a very relevant and soulful musical score. Combo of Baber Javed and Sarmad were at their best.Such a sensitive subject was handled with amazing grace without including any vulgarity in the screen play. Script of the movie is very tightly written and well executed. In the history of Pakistani cinema this is the best biography ever made. Title track and "Mehram Dilan De" were beautifully and very artistically executed. The movie is a complete work of art . Movie viewers will experience a roller coaster of emotions through out the movie. The galaxy of Pakistani TV stars were outstanding. Short stories of Manto were beautifully infused in the script. All and all it was a mesmerizing experience which was never seen before, Highly recommended (5 Stars)
MANTO Zindabad
Murtazza17 September 2015
The movie portrays suffering, struggling for survival and the uncongenial circumstances faced by the writer during the post partition seven years.
Manto's life has been depicted in such a way that will make you feel the real color of his life descent into a dark pit hole of the irony of fate. The film features with drama, reflection of love, empathy and tragedy replete in a callous fabric of reality from the bygone days. The plot revolves around Manto's most controversial fictional works that caused him faced allegations of propagating obscenity.
The Babar Javed presentation 'Manto' has been directed by the versatile artist Sarmad Sultan Khosat also playing the central role as Manto. The way he adopted and portrayed the character of Manto will surely make the viewers forget that it is merely a movie. The dialogs of the movie are taken from Manto's short stories such as Thanda Gosht, License, Madari, Hatak, Peshawar se Lahore and these lines will give the story such strength sufficient to make it a super hot movie.
The songs of the movie recorded in utmost gloom will give you realization of atrocity and guilt.
As far the cast of the movie, experience and talent will add icing on the cake as it includes: Sania Saeed (Manto's wife Safiya), Saba Qamar (Noor Jehan), Mahira Khan (Madaran), Shamoon Abbasi (Talchan Singh), Faisal Qureshi, Hina Khawaja Bayat, Nimra Bucha, Savera Nadeem, Adnan Jaffar, Nadia Afghan, Irfan Khoosat, Afraz Rasool, Yasra Rizvi, Tipu Sharif, Muhammad Hanif (Guest Appearance as writer).
On the whole, although the movie might not be containing all the features necessary for making the masses love it, the movie will definitely show the real face of contemporary society via the eyes of Manto.
Manto's life has been depicted in such a way that will make you feel the real color of his life descent into a dark pit hole of the irony of fate. The film features with drama, reflection of love, empathy and tragedy replete in a callous fabric of reality from the bygone days. The plot revolves around Manto's most controversial fictional works that caused him faced allegations of propagating obscenity.
The Babar Javed presentation 'Manto' has been directed by the versatile artist Sarmad Sultan Khosat also playing the central role as Manto. The way he adopted and portrayed the character of Manto will surely make the viewers forget that it is merely a movie. The dialogs of the movie are taken from Manto's short stories such as Thanda Gosht, License, Madari, Hatak, Peshawar se Lahore and these lines will give the story such strength sufficient to make it a super hot movie.
The songs of the movie recorded in utmost gloom will give you realization of atrocity and guilt.
As far the cast of the movie, experience and talent will add icing on the cake as it includes: Sania Saeed (Manto's wife Safiya), Saba Qamar (Noor Jehan), Mahira Khan (Madaran), Shamoon Abbasi (Talchan Singh), Faisal Qureshi, Hina Khawaja Bayat, Nimra Bucha, Savera Nadeem, Adnan Jaffar, Nadia Afghan, Irfan Khoosat, Afraz Rasool, Yasra Rizvi, Tipu Sharif, Muhammad Hanif (Guest Appearance as writer).
On the whole, although the movie might not be containing all the features necessary for making the masses love it, the movie will definitely show the real face of contemporary society via the eyes of Manto.
The best piece of ART and highly recommended. Sarmad you did it and given a true meaning of a movie and the biography.
a_ayza20 September 2015
I must applaud the producers for investing in a project like MANTO, for giving Sarmad Sultan Khoosat the time he needed to finalize this masterpiece.
Manto is intense, gripping, sincere, soul-stirring, deep and unforgettable. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and Shahid Nadeem have pleaded Manto's case with the utmost clarity and honesty. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat wanted this film to 'disturb' the audience and I must say that those people who were not expecting this film to be this intense were truly disturbed by the experience. I, on the other hand did not expect a film based on Manto's life and work to be like any other commercial film therefore I was impressed to watch a very well put together introduction to Manto's writings, why he was not like many other people and writers of his time, an insightful glimpse into his family life and also a deeper understanding of the main motivation behind Manto's writings. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat has definitely made me understand Manto and after watching the film I am convinced that Manto was just as flawed and as much of a human as anyone else but he was not a hypocrite.
All of Manto's stories which have been narrated in the film have been translated on screen in an impeccable manner. Every single narrative is touching and different from the other. Most of them focus on men and women's relationships with each other and how society perceives women. There is a good reason why it took Sarmad Khoosat two years to edit this film – Manto covers every aspect of Manto's life.
Overall Manto is pure genius; it deserves to be watched over and over again. All the songs in the film have been beautifully sung and composed and have some relevance or the other to the happenings in the film. All these songs are a tribute to some of the most admired poets in Urdu literature. This film was definitely worth the wait!
Manto is intense, gripping, sincere, soul-stirring, deep and unforgettable. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and Shahid Nadeem have pleaded Manto's case with the utmost clarity and honesty. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat wanted this film to 'disturb' the audience and I must say that those people who were not expecting this film to be this intense were truly disturbed by the experience. I, on the other hand did not expect a film based on Manto's life and work to be like any other commercial film therefore I was impressed to watch a very well put together introduction to Manto's writings, why he was not like many other people and writers of his time, an insightful glimpse into his family life and also a deeper understanding of the main motivation behind Manto's writings. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat has definitely made me understand Manto and after watching the film I am convinced that Manto was just as flawed and as much of a human as anyone else but he was not a hypocrite.
All of Manto's stories which have been narrated in the film have been translated on screen in an impeccable manner. Every single narrative is touching and different from the other. Most of them focus on men and women's relationships with each other and how society perceives women. There is a good reason why it took Sarmad Khoosat two years to edit this film – Manto covers every aspect of Manto's life.
Overall Manto is pure genius; it deserves to be watched over and over again. All the songs in the film have been beautifully sung and composed and have some relevance or the other to the happenings in the film. All these songs are a tribute to some of the most admired poets in Urdu literature. This film was definitely worth the wait!
Above all my capacities of aesthetics and emotions..
sagerevolter18 September 2015
It started with a ride which took me to mesmerizing experience and i couldn't leave my seat evening after the movie ended hoping to see more if possible.Its been 5th day since i saw it and i am already itching to watch it again.cinematography was excellent and lighting was perfect changing with characters, ambiance and intensity . Editing was superb as i coudln't point out single lapse.Acting was out of the world specially Sarmad Sultan Khoosat played character of his lifetime,didn't tried more or less just a perfect blend.Saba Qamar did excellent show,Sania Saeed as always best among the ladies. The short stories of Manto were portrayed with such and ease and intensity at the same time that pelt hard against your aesthetics.
Manto is Astonishing
aurangzab200527 October 2015
Manto deserves standing ovation. As its a rise of our industry from ashes, such an epic biopic has made its own spot in the genre of drama when it is the age of commercial movies.
Manto is Bold. It has drama, love, empathy and tragedy wrapped in a harsh dark realities of our society plus the artists, poets & writers & their financial, personal & professional issues when the work a little off stream in the subcontinent. Hats off to Sarmad. Sarmad Khosat reveals awesome acting abilities in portraying Manto. He did justice to some complicated character of a writer, alcoholic, smoker & a liver patient that could be a haunting job for some other performers. No one can spot that it was his debut on big screen. He made Manto's misery believable.
Other then Sarmad, the roles like Saba Qamar, Nadia Afghan, Sawaira Nadeem & Mahira khan showed a true potential that u can show even when the role is short. The role of Sania Saeed as Manto's wife was the cherry on top.
U may not get masala ingredients and Item numbers to make it a blockbuster but Movies like MANTO restores your faith in Pakistani Cinema.
Yeah, we are rising.
A must must watch.
Manto is Bold. It has drama, love, empathy and tragedy wrapped in a harsh dark realities of our society plus the artists, poets & writers & their financial, personal & professional issues when the work a little off stream in the subcontinent. Hats off to Sarmad. Sarmad Khosat reveals awesome acting abilities in portraying Manto. He did justice to some complicated character of a writer, alcoholic, smoker & a liver patient that could be a haunting job for some other performers. No one can spot that it was his debut on big screen. He made Manto's misery believable.
Other then Sarmad, the roles like Saba Qamar, Nadia Afghan, Sawaira Nadeem & Mahira khan showed a true potential that u can show even when the role is short. The role of Sania Saeed as Manto's wife was the cherry on top.
U may not get masala ingredients and Item numbers to make it a blockbuster but Movies like MANTO restores your faith in Pakistani Cinema.
Yeah, we are rising.
A must must watch.
naked truth!!!!!!!!!!! with a class
shujayk21 September 2015
Manto the movie is a biography of the most controversial writer, for me he was a SLAP on the so called civilized society, which wears cloths but actually naked!!!!! As they are born. Sarmad Sultan Khosat who is he!!!!!! Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, Amitab, Amir Khan , Peter Jackson, Karan Johar, no he is a Pakistani and he proves with a master stroke, and believe me the topic he chooses for his first movie was difficult, sensitive, controversial, addicted!!!!! It is very difficult to show someone half naked and yet to explain what you really want to tell. Sarmad has done it, just like 2 great deliveries of Sshoiab in Calcutta Test vs India, when he bowled Tendulker and Dravid , Stunned!!!!!!!!!!!!! Same is the case with Manto the movie. Oscar goes to Sarmad for his brilliant acting, in some scenes literally sarmad shakes you from toe to head. MANTO explains the short stories by the Manto, what ever Manto wrote was a hard bitter truth , Manto was confused, selfish, addicted but a man who exposed the real face of Civilized society. Sarmad has done his character with such a class that really overshadows all the other characters, in the movie. When movie starts you see Manto and when ends you remember Manto only. You will love Manto , you will hate Manto but you cannot ignore him. This is the beauty of the film. Pakistan cinema has definitely being turnaround and what a great come back it is, its getting better day by day, with Manto the bar has raised more higher. Sarmad graduated from NCA Lahore clearly depicts the brand name and the brilliant artistic value of NCA. So in nutshell it's a hard hitting movie, very complex and hard to digest, but in fact a naked reality which will remain in this universe till the universe remains. Tum kitna Manto maaro gay her ghar se Manto nikla ga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manto - A Truth
sayamasjad20 January 2018
Manto is first in many ways : life sketch, characterization ,soulful depiction of an era ,editing,background score ,& Manto's ethos blended with the pangs of partition,migration & social dis-array have been exhibited in a manner which was hitherto unknown to our cinema. Sarmad deserves a continuous applause for his strength & delicacy at the same time .he brings out the pathos so efficiently that the audience do not realize their minds turning into souls & realizing that they have been served with a master-piece . The scene in which Manto's wife lights up a cigarette for him actually leads to a performance by Sarmad which can be compared with any great performance on the screen.Such a great work has yet not been delivered by the Indian cinema which is rich in experiment & resources. Sarmad & his team have treated us with an artistic vision & presentation.
Awesome
ahsenkhan-273036 April 2020
Mein Manto
kusmanud9 September 2018
A masterpiece
zahrabarlas24 August 2018
This is a beautiful representation of the life and works of Saadat Hasan Manto, brilliantly acted out by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat. It's a shame, however, that the original episodic version was not shown on TV. This is the message, the naked truth, that needs to be shown to the world.
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