‘MANTO & I ARE NOT DONE YET'

Nandita Das talks about her fascination with the firebrand Urdu writer and playwright

- Aasheesh Sharma

NOTED singer Shubha Mudgal launched Manto and I, the new book by actor-turned-filmmaker Nandita Das, on the opening day of the 13th Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2020. The seasoned performer, who has acted in 40 films across 10 languages has also served as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival. Her second directorial venture, Manto, also premiered at Cannes. During an interview with MAIL TODAY on the sidelights of the festival, she says her fascination with the firebrand writer and playwright is still growing. Read on for edited excerpts...

What’s your new book about?

There is more to the book than just the making of the film. It also talks about my own socio-political journey in the six years during which it [Manto] was being made. It is also an emotional journey that I went through and has personal chapters about being a fulltime mother. It is about the female gaze and about owning up to the title of ‘female director’ that earlier annoyed me.

You have earlier done a book on Manto’s writing. This one is about the film and your creative journey. What explains your fascination with him?