Mimi Steinbauer’s Radiant Films International has boarded international sales on Un Certain Regard selection Manto, which marks the first feature produced by HP Studios.
Nandita Das’ film will receive its world premiere on Sunday (13) and is based on the life and work of Saadat Hasan Manto, one of the most distinguished short story writers of the 1940s.
Das produced through Nandita Das Initiatives alongside India’s Viacom18 Motion Pictures, and new companies HP Studios and FilmStoc.
Manto wrote during the time of Indian independence and his writings reflected the turmoil in his native country as fighting broke out between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui stars with Rasika Dugal and Tahir Raj Bhasin. Manto marks Das’ second directorial project after Firaaq.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Magic If Films serves as co-producer alongside Marie Masmonteil and Sandrine Brauer of En Compagnie des Lamas, who handle French rights. India’s Viacom18 Motion Pictures will distribute in India later this year.
Radiant acquisitions executive Mike Dougherty introduced the project to the company and Steinbauer negotiated the rights deal.
Steinbauer said, “Nandita Das has crafted a remarkable film that pays tribute to a gifted artist, both through a recounting of his incredible, turbulent life and through vivid recreations of some of his most cherished stories. We were dazzled by her film, and we are extremely excited to help share it with the world.“
Das added: “I am most delighted that Radiant Films is going to help us share this film with the widest audience possible. They have a reputation of being passionate and caring about the films they choose to sell. I look forward to Manto traveling the world.”
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