If I Enter Manto’s Physical World, I’ll Reach His Mind: Nawazuddin

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is leaving no stone unturned in getting into Sadat Haasan Manto’s world.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is leaving no stone unturned in getting Sadat Haasan Manto right. (Photo courtesy: Twitter, altered by The Quint)

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is soaking up everything about Sadat Haasan Manto like a sponge for the biopic being directed by Nandita Das. He said in a recent interview that getting the character’s physicality right is no big feat, but getting into his mind is the real challenge.

Thanks to Nandita’s research on Manto, I feel I know him well enough to get into his mind and body. The body part is relatively easier. I need to dress the way he did, and as long as I’m playing him, I need to live my life the way he did. Alone. Writing words that created magic on paper.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Actor

Nawaz is getting ready to cut himself from the world and all modes of communication, to focus on his character.

I plan to recreate Manto’s world around me. I will have my room re-furnished with the things that Manto lived with. I will dress like him, try to eat the food that he ate, sleep on the kind of bed that he did, wear the kind of clothes he did and talk like him. If I enter Manto’s physical world, I feel I can penetrate his mind.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

The actor reportedly also said that he will not be taking on any other films while he’s working on Manto, because the man he’s playing deserves it.

(Source: DNA)