Manto's women characters are humane: Sonal Sehgal
Mumbai
Apr 21, 2017
Actress Sonal Sehgal, who is playing the female lead in Rahat
Kazmis forthcoming film 'Mantostaan' -- based on the stories of celebrated
writer Saadat Hasan Manto -- says that most of the women characters in his oeuvre
were very humane.
The actress who is playing Kalwant Kaur, from one of Manto's
'Thanda Gosht', is excited to be a part of 'Mantostaan',
an amalgamation of four short stories- 'Khol Do', 'Thanda Ghosht',
'Aakhri Salute' and 'Assignment'.
Asked why such fascination, Sonal told IANS here: 'I think
all the women characters in his stories are emancipated. And that is interesting.
Even in his short stories, in a small length... he managed to encapsulate various
shades of emotions in every character. They are not black and white, they are
humane with flaws and positivity.'
Taking the example of the character of Kalwant Kaur, Sonal
elaborated: 'Though she was a mistress, she was a lady with integrity who
did not tolerate infidelity. I think that is the beauty of the character where
Manto did not judge her. In modern days, we are also celebrating flaws of an
individual that Manto started doing back then. Perhaps that is why he is still
relevant.'
It is interesting to know how an author of the 1940s is popular
not only in India and Pakistan, but also in the West.
She said: 'Yes, it is true and in the beginning I was
surprised. We have travelled a lot with this film at various festivals in London,
San Francisco and other places where people showed their interest to know about
the philosophy and ideology of Manto.'
'Later we found out that there is a course in literature
syllabus on Manto. No wonder, we have got so much positive response and Manto
is so popular out there.'
As she is playing a strong character in 'Mantostaan',
what are her thoughts on the modern women-centric Hindi films?
She said: 'The subtle feminism is missing, which needs
to be maintained. And for that, it does not have to be a so-called ‘women-oriented'
film. Even in a regular story, a woman character can have her own mind. All
we need is good writing that captures human emotions in a balanced manner.'
She added: 'We do not have to show over-the-top and loud
characters to project feminism. That will be preachy and we don't have to show
a woman like a doormat. Managing that subtlety is an art.'
She started her career in television and gained popularity
with shows like 'Saara Akaash' and 'Hotel Kingston'.
Sonal then made her debut on the big screen with the National
Film Award-winning director Nagesh Kukunoor's movie 'Aashayein' opposite
John Abraham in 2010.
After a while, she stopped working in films frequently.
'I am a bit choosy about scripts and it becomes hard for
me to act just for a good pay check. I know it is a business of entertainment,
but at the end of the day... it is an art. Since acting is a very demanding
art that takes a lot from you - emotional and physical strength, if I am not
convinced, it will reflect on my performance,' said Sonal.
'Mantostaan' is slated to release on May 5.
Mumbai
Apr 21, 2017
Actress Sonal Sehgal, who is playing the female lead in Rahat
Kazmis forthcoming film 'Mantostaan' -- based on the stories of celebrated
writer Saadat Hasan Manto -- says that most of the women characters in his oeuvre
were very humane.
The actress who is playing Kalwant Kaur, from one of Manto's
'Thanda Gosht', is excited to be a part of 'Mantostaan',
an amalgamation of four short stories- 'Khol Do', 'Thanda Ghosht',
'Aakhri Salute' and 'Assignment'.
Asked why such fascination, Sonal told IANS here: 'I think
all the women characters in his stories are emancipated. And that is interesting.
Even in his short stories, in a small length... he managed to encapsulate various
shades of emotions in every character. They are not black and white, they are
humane with flaws and positivity.'
Taking the example of the character of Kalwant Kaur, Sonal
elaborated: 'Though she was a mistress, she was a lady with integrity who
did not tolerate infidelity. I think that is the beauty of the character where
Manto did not judge her. In modern days, we are also celebrating flaws of an
individual that Manto started doing back then. Perhaps that is why he is still
relevant.'
It is interesting to know how an author of the 1940s is popular
not only in India and Pakistan, but also in the West.
She said: 'Yes, it is true and in the beginning I was
surprised. We have travelled a lot with this film at various festivals in London,
San Francisco and other places where people showed their interest to know about
the philosophy and ideology of Manto.'
'Later we found out that there is a course in literature
syllabus on Manto. No wonder, we have got so much positive response and Manto
is so popular out there.'
As she is playing a strong character in 'Mantostaan',
what are her thoughts on the modern women-centric Hindi films?
She said: 'The subtle feminism is missing, which needs
to be maintained. And for that, it does not have to be a so-called ‘women-oriented'
film. Even in a regular story, a woman character can have her own mind. All
we need is good writing that captures human emotions in a balanced manner.'
She added: 'We do not have to show over-the-top and loud
characters to project feminism. That will be preachy and we don't have to show
a woman like a doormat. Managing that subtlety is an art.'
She started her career in television and gained popularity
with shows like 'Saara Akaash' and 'Hotel Kingston'.
Sonal then made her debut on the big screen with the National
Film Award-winning director Nagesh Kukunoor's movie 'Aashayein' opposite
John Abraham in 2010.
After a while, she stopped working in films frequently.
'I am a bit choosy about scripts and it becomes hard for
me to act just for a good pay check. I know it is a business of entertainment,
but at the end of the day... it is an art. Since acting is a very demanding
art that takes a lot from you - emotional and physical strength, if I am not
convinced, it will reflect on my performance,' said Sonal.
'Mantostaan' is slated to release on May 5.
Tags: Nagesh KukunoorJohn Abraham