As Nandita Das’ biopic of author Saadat Hasan Manto gears up for a release, the iconic writer daughters – Nuzhat and Nusrat – will be travelling from Pakistan to attend the premier. Nandita Das is trying to get late Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto’s daughters, Nighat Patel, Nuzhat Arshad and Nusrat Jalal, to India for the premiere of her film Manto. She has approached the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to facilitate the visas so that they can attend the Indian premiere of the film, which traces the life of the writer.
Speaking to an Indian Daily, Nandita Das said, “We are keeping our fingers crossed that the family of this great literary icon who is legacy of the whole Indian subcontinent will find the passage smooth.” “Throughout the journey, I have had the generous support of the Manto family who has shared many stories and much material without which I would not have been able to show the man, the father, the husband that he was. So it would mean a lot to me to be able to share the big day with them,” Nandita said in a statement.
The family, residing in Lahore, will be entering India by road through the Wagah border and will fly to Mumbai with their spouses. Unfortunately, of the three daughters, only two will be present for the release, the eldest, Nighat, will not be able to make it.
“We were all very young when he passed away as a broken-hearted man. But almost everyone who met and knew him have spoken of his love for Bombay where he began his literary journey,” Nuzhat said.
She mentioned the family will be availing the visa-on-arrival facility for India, available to the 65+ elderly, according to an understanding between both governments. “In the past, we have travelled after a visa was given. So we are a bit worried,” she said.