Rasika Dugal shines as Safia Manto, receives high praise from the finest celebs!

Rasika Dugal the actress who looked so similar to Safia Manto that Manto’s children also informed her about the uncanny resemblance, has been receiving a lot of praise for her role in the film, playing Safia, the strong, silent and resilient wife of Manto who was rarely written about by one of the most well-known authors from the Indian Sub-continent.

The film written and directed by Nandita Das opened to amazing reviews with everyone praising the film and how Nandita had done justice to the story of the late writer and his work. Manto, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role is being lauded too but celebrities and fans across social media have taken to praise and appreciate Safia Manto’s character.

Shabana Azmi, one of India’s most celebrated actors said, “Go watch #Manto. Bravo @nanditadas such an important film @nawazuddin_s lives the part. @RasikaDugal turns out a first-rate performance. Compare it to her performance in Qissa and you realise what a versatile actor she is. Proud of @mantagoyal and #filmstoc for your first production.

Imtiaz Ali, the director who gave us gems like Tamasha and Jab We Met, said “I have long followed the pictures of Manto and Safia because they speak of great understanding and friendship in marriage. My fascination for Safia made it almost impossible for any actor to satisfy me as audience because I had a mental picture of how she would be. What Rasika did in Manto is very rare – She lived up to my fantastic imagination of the character, in fact made it much more endearing by her scintillatingly believable performance. Proud to be a fellow Jamshedpurean and eager to see all that she does after this.”

Actor Ali Fazal, who will be seen acting with Rasika Dugal in the upcoming web series, Mirzapur added, “i recently witnessed a masterpiece by Nandita Das – Manto. It’s not surprising because she is capable of that feat as a director as an actor. But the most striking thing about the Manto experience was the creative geniuses attached to this project. My personal favourite Rasika Dugal portraying Safia( Manto saab’s wife) . Seldom does an entire cast shine through a film. It’s through Safia’s eyes we jump from the brutal realities of that time and Manto’s world. I’ve always been a closet fan of Rasika’s work so this one i can blatantly and shamelessly come out n say is one her best works. To shine as bright as the author-backed role of Manto and in many scenes stealing the show, is a rarity. If I could start a #ApniMerylRasikaDuggal hashtag .. hehe. It would sum up admiration. Nawaz and her made the perfect portrayals of safia and Saadat and a mirror into the current face of our times. They still resonate in 2018 and am so happy the audience can finally put faces to them. I cant wait to see her work in Mirzapur next”

Raman Raghav and Kaalakandi actress, Sobhita Dhulipala said, “ Safia’s spine is as tough as her temper is subdued. Such natural grace in Rasika’s performance! Manto is a necessary film for our time.”

Shruti Seth, theatre actress and anchor added, “Rasika plays her part as Manto’s wife with such restraint and yet there is a playfulness to her which is immediately endearing. She’s always been a gifted actor and once again she shows her craft with this stunningly nuanced performance.”

Kudos to you, Rasika!