Manto at 7: Nandita Das calls the film 'a journey I will cherish forever'
Synopsis
Seven years after its release, Nandita Das's Manto remains a touchstone for Indian cinema's engagement with free expression and Partition history. With the film now free on YouTube and her companion book 'Manto & I' discounted on Amazon, Das is clearly betting that a new generation of viewers is ready to discover Saadat Hasan Manto's story.
Key Takeaways
Nandita Das commemorated the 7th anniversary of her biographical drama 'Manto' on 21 September 2026 .
The film, released in 2018 , stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto and is now available free on YouTube and on Apple TV .
Das also promoted her companion book 'Manto & I' , currently discounted on Amazon and Kindle . 'Manto' was the first film produced under Nandita Das Initiatives LLP , founded in 2016 .
The cast includes Tahir Raj Bhasin as Shyam Chadda and Rasika Dugal as Safia , Manto's wife.
Actress and filmmaker Nandita Das marked the 7th anniversary of her celebrated 2018 biographical drama 'Manto' with a heartfelt tribute on social media, calling the experience one she will cherish indefinitely and using the occasion to announce that the film is now available for free on YouTube and on Apple TV.
How Nandita Das Marked the Milestone
Sharing two posters of the film on her Instagram handle, Das invited followers to watch or revisit the film and share their thoughts. 'Seven years ago, on this day, Manto was released! A journey I will cherish forever. If you haven't seen it yet, it's on YouTube and Apple TV. To know more about 'Why Manto?', I have shared the YouTube link on my story,' she wrote.
The filmmaker also took the opportunity to promote her companion book, 'Manto & I', which chronicles the film's journey from its inception to its release. 'I also wrote a whole book on it called 'Manto & I' that is full of images and stories, right from its inception to its fruition. It's on discount on Amazon and Kindle. Shamelessly promoting it. After all, we make films and write books to share, to communicate what one feels compelled to say,' she added.
The Film and Its Legacy
'Manto' is a cinematic portrait of the life of Saadat Hasan Manto, one of the most provocative and celebrated Urdu writers of the twentieth century, known for his unflinching depictions of Partition-era trauma. The film starred Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the title role, with Tahir Raj Bhasin as Hindi film superstar Shyam Chadda and Rasika Dugal as Manto's wife, Safia.
Notably, 'Manto' was the first film produced under Nandita Das Initiatives LLP, the production banner Das founded in 2016. The project underlined her commitment to cinema that grapples with social and historical complexity rather than mainstream entertainment formulas.
Audience Response Over the Years
The anniversary post drew an outpouring of appreciation in the comments section. One viewer wrote, 'What a wonderful experience this was… Sirazuddin's casting still haunts me.' Another noted, 'I will never forget watching this film. It was an experience I shall forever cherish.' A third called it a personal favourite among biopics: 'It still breaks my heart... and remains my favourite biopics.'
The warmth of these reactions, seven years on, speaks to the film's enduring resonance with audiences who found in Manto's story a mirror to questions of free expression, identity, and creative courage — themes that have only grown more relevant with time.
What Comes Next
With the film newly accessible on YouTube at no cost and the companion book discounted on digital platforms, Das appears to be widening the film's reach beyond its original theatrical and festival circuit audience. Whether this renewed push translates into fresh critical discourse around Manto's literary legacy and the politics of storytelling in Indian cinema will be worth watching.
Point of View
But on YouTube and streaming shelves. Das's decision to make the film freely available is less a celebration than a corrective, expanding access to a work that was always more culturally significant than commercially dominant. That audiences are still quoting it seven years on suggests 'Manto' found its audience on the long tail, not the opening weekend — which may be the more honest measure of a film about a writer who was perpetually ahead of, and punished by, his time.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film Manto about?
'Manto' is a 2018 biographical drama directed by Nandita Das about the life of celebrated Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, known for his controversial and unflinching depictions of Partition-era India and Pakistan. Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the title role, with Rasika Dugal as his wife Safia and Tahir Raj Bhasin as film star Shyam Chadda.
Where can I watch Manto now?
'Manto' is currently available for free on YouTube and is also streaming on Apple TV. Nandita Das shared the YouTube link on her Instagram story on the film's 7th anniversary.
What is the book 'Manto & I' by Nandita Das?
'Manto & I' is a companion book written by Nandita Das chronicling the entire journey of making the film, from its inception to its release. It is filled with images and behind-the-scenes stories and is currently available at a discount on Amazon and Kindle.
Who produced the film Manto?
'Manto' was produced under Nandita Das Initiatives LLP, the production banner founded by Nandita Das in 2016. It was the first film produced under that banner.
Why is the Manto anniversary significant in 2026?
The film completed seven years on 21 September 2026, prompting Nandita Das to reflect publicly on its making and to widen its reach by pointing audiences to its free availability on YouTube — giving the film a second wind with a new generation of viewers.
