Nawazuddin Siddiqui charged only 1 Indian rupee for playing “Manto”, shares Nandita Das

Bollywood’s much praised actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays the late Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto in Nandita Das directorial “Manto”, is reported to have charged only a single Indian Rupee for his fee. And others like Rishi Kapoor, Javed Akhtar and Ranvir Shorey did it for free.

The news was shared by the film director Nandita Das while talking to an Indian news agency, she said, “This is the character that an actor would give an arm and leg for. But to not charge even a nominal fee is very gracious of Nawaz”.

Adding further to it she said, “Rishi Kapoor and Gurdas Maan said yes in our first meeting. I also reached out to many whom I knew well and have used up all my goodwill to get a stellar cast that truly does justice to the characters in the film”.

Nandita Das also shared that, “While many have done cameo roles, they all bring their talent and credibility to the characters”.

Javed Akhter, who has proven himself as a screenwriter and lyricist, is now making his acting debut in Manto. He will be seen playing Lawyer Abid Ali Abid. Talking about Javed Sahab, Nandita Das said, “I have known Javed Saab even before I did Fire. And I have always felt that he would be perfect in front of the camera. I thought it would be quite interesting to have a progressive writer of today defending Manto. You will see him in a new avatar. So not like Javed saab.”

Talking about Paresh Rawal, who had worked along her in Firaaq and now in Manto, she told, “Politically, we may have differing views, but there is a mutual respect as an artiste and I am truly grateful he did the role to perfection”.

Film “Manto” is slated for 21st September cinema release. The other artists featuring in other main roles are Abid Ali Abid as lyricist Javed Akhtar and Chandan Roy Sanyal as Manto’s close friend Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi. Rishi Kapoor plays a small role of a film producer and Rajashri Deshpande plays Ismat Chughtai. Jaddanbai is being played by Ila Arun while Tillotama Shome portrays the role of a prostitute.