In an intriguing and enlightening conversation with Khaleej Times, the highly-regarded filmmaker and actor, Sarmad Khoosat, embarked on an odyssey to unveil the profound legacy of the legendary Saadat Hasan Manto.
Encountering what he described as "snide remarks" often marked by the phrase "aur bano Manto" (become another Manto), Khoosat stumbled upon the literary genius quite serendipitously. Recounting this fateful discovery, he shared, “Our house had caught fire and we were living in a temporary place for some time and I chanced upon Manto from dad’s collection. When I read him, I was dumbstruck that this kind of scandalous literature exists in Urdu.” Shedding light on his future endeavours, Khoosat stated, “I want to do a dark comedy with an actress I haven’t worked with in a long time." He added, "An artist is always ridden with self-doubt. But over the years, I have realised there is a loyal audience for my work. Thanks to them and Manto, my journey has just got more interesting and I have found a stronger voice.”