From Kashmir to Cannes

Having grown up in a place where not many pursue a career in films, Rahat Kazmi, the Poonch-based film producer and director, literally blazed a trail with his passion for filmmaking. The going, though, has been tough for him. Frequent curbs on the screening of his earlier film, ‘Identity Card-guilty unless proven’ has dented his confidence at times but it has not stopped him from choosing even more controversial subjects.For nearly two years he worked on his new film “Mantostaan” that will be screened on May 14 and 16 at the Cannes International Film Festival.
The film Mantostaan is a dark satire based on four burning and the most controversial short stories of Legendary Urdu writer Saadat Hassan Manto. Before filming Mantostaan, Rahat spent a total of six months in doing a detailed study. He met various historians, writers, and journalists to gain a thorough knowledge about the correct approach to the flick. Creative producer Dr. Bhanu Pratap helped the director to a great extent.
Before leaving for Cannes, Rahat Kazmi had a brief conversation with the Kashmir Infocus reporter, Firdous Hassan, about the film.
Q: How is it being first from the state to rub shoulders with renowned directors at Cannes?
Rahat:Alhamdulliah,It is really a great achievement for me. I am very excited for the premiere. As an independent filmmaker, this is a huge boost for me and others because not many studios come forward to back such projects easily. A platform like Cannes will encourage us a lot as our aim is not to earn crores of rupees but to make people aware about the film.
Q:What is this film all about?
Rahat:The movie Mantostaan is actually a dark satire based on four stories of Saadat Hassan Manto, who is considered as the greatest writer, author, and playwright in South Asia. Mantostaan is based on a total of four stories that have been sewed together over the backdrop of partition. “Mantostaan” deals with the issue of India-Pakistan partition and the stories are set in 1947 India Pakistan partition time, throwing a spotlight on most inhuman side of human beings.I want people to know about Saadat Hassan who produced a total of 22 short stories, a series of 5 radio plays, two collections of personal sketches and three collections of essays.
Q:Why did you chose Saadat Hassan’s stories as your subject and a title like Mantostaan?
Rahat: I was completely awe-struck after going through these works of Sadat Hassan Manto and wondered as to why no one had taken the initiative to direct any film based on the stories. When Manto had written those stories, there was a huge controversy, but now people who write literature appreciate him. He (Manto) was Indian and India said he was a Pakistani. He was in fact a world in his own and hence I titled the film ‘Mantostaan’.
Q:We heard that your script contains some of his controversial stories?
Rahat: I can’t say controversial but these stories were compelling. People are mature enough and they understand what is right and what is wrong.Honestly, I was really moved by the stories of Manto and that is how I decided to turn them into a film.