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