IANS (BOMBAY TIMES; January 16, 2019)

Writers, activists and journalists in Pakistan held a nationwide protest on Monday against the ban on Hindi film Manto, which is based on the life of the late Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, in their country. Director Nandita Das tweeted, thanking everyone who were protesting against the ban.

“Beyond borders, the fight for freedom of expression is the same. Thanks to all those in Pakistan, who are working to free Manto. Thanks to everyone who has taken to the streets to protest against the ban on Manto in Pakistan. I am there with you in spirit, and so is the entire Manto team,” Nandita tweeted, adding, “Amazing to see people out on the streets to protest. Respect and gratitude.”

Saeed Ahmed, a journalist and playwright, had initially started an online petition, urging the Imran Khan government to allow the film’s release. In collaboration with the Manto Memorial Society, peaceful protests were held in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Multan.

Nandita had earlier expressed her gratitude to Ahmed. “I’m overwhelmed by the spontaneous support it has garnered from so many around the world. It is very moving to see that so many writers, artists, activists, concerned citizens have taken it upon themselves to fight the battle to screen Manto in Pakistan,” she had said.

In December 2018, Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry had extended help to Nandita. In a message to her via Twitter, Chaudhry had said, “I am trying to pursue importers to bring this movie to Pakistan. I hope someone will definitely take risk of showing a less commercial film to the viewers.”

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui had brought the character of Manto to life in the film, which follows the tumultuous years in the life of the writer and those of India and Pakistan, which Manto inhabited and chronicled.

Danyal Gilani, Chairman, Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), had earlier said that Manto wasn’t cleared by the board as the members found it in violation of the censorship code.