The Indian rendition of Saadat Hasan Manto’s life-story – directed by Nandita Das, has made it to Cannes.
Titled Manto, the biographical exploration of the controversial Urdu writer made its way to the Un Certain Regard segment at the 71st Cannes Film Festival. The official line-up was announced by the festival’s artistic director Thierry Fremaux in Paris on Thursday.
Nandita, who has been a jury member at the festival twice – in 2005 and 2013 – had last year introduced Manto to the Cannes audience via ‘In Defence of Freedom’, a prelude to the feature film. Now, heading to the fest with the film in full form, Nandita confirmed the feat on Twitter.
“We are in Cannes! Manto is selected in the official section Un Certain Regard. An exciting moment for the entire crew and cast†tweeted the filmmaker.
Nawazuddin, who plays the bespectacled Manto in the eponymous film, also seems excited.
“‘And it is possible that Saadat Hasan dies, but Manto remains alive’,” he tweeted. “Glad to inform that Manto is selected for competition at Cannes 2018 in Un Certain Regard section. Congratulations Nandita Das and Team Manto.â€
The Un Certain Regard is a competition section separate from the fest’s main Palme d’Or competition section and will take place during the festival which will be held from May 8-19.
