In any form of expression that revolves around the art of acting, casting is one of the most important factors. The phrase ‘horses for courses’ comes to mind.

Recently the Pakistani film Manto created quite a buzz in film circles. Now Indian actress and film-maker Nandita Das is making her own movie version on the life and work of the iconic writer Saadat Hasan Manto, and has taken the brilliant Nawazuddin Siddiqui to do his character.

We feel it’s a good choice for two reasons: one, Nawazuddin S is a quality actor; two, his facial features can be made-up to resemble Manto’s. Also, he can speak Urdu the way it used to be spoken before Partition. That being said, let’s not raise our expectations too high and wait for the release of the movie.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, May 29th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Wheat price crash
Updated 20 May, 2024

Wheat price crash

What the government has done to Punjab’s smallholder wheat growers by staying out of the market amid crashing prices is deplorable.
Afghan corruption
20 May, 2024

Afghan corruption

AMONGST the reasons that the Afghan Taliban marched into Kabul in August 2021 without any resistance to speak of ...
Volleyball triumph
20 May, 2024

Volleyball triumph

IN the last week, while Pakistan’s cricket team savoured a come-from-behind T20 series victory against Ireland,...
Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.