7 hours ago
4
PROTECT YOURSELF with Orgo-Life® QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by Adpathway3 min readMumbaiFeb 24, 2026 03:31 PM IST
Javed Akhtar made an appearance as an actor in Manto.
Nandita Das’s Manto remains one of the finest pieces of biopics released in contemporary times. Its triumph lies in how it subverts the gaze of a typical biopic by doing two major things: first, while most biopics try to find the human in the artist, Manto tries to locate the human in his art; and second, above all, it is not a hagiographical depiction of the celebrated author’s life, as it also attempts to explore his paradoxes, his cracks. Another strength of the film was its fantastically ensemble cast, featuring actors like Paresh Rawal, Rishi Kapoor, Neeraj Kabi, Tilotoma Shome, Ranvir Shorey, and Divya Dutta, each delivering memorable performances. Among them was also celebrated screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who made his first-ever acting debut with the film.
He appears only for a few minutes, but again in a role that everyone who has watched the film remembers vividly. Recently, Das, in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, revealed what it was like to cast such a writer as an actor: “I have known him for many years, so I was obviously very familiar with him. But of course, when I sent him the script, he wanted to change everything. And I told him, ‘Javed saab aap actor hai iss mein, you are not the writer.’ (Javed sir, you are the actor in this, you are not the writer.)”
She then added, “But like with any good actor, it was collaborative. So of course, he added a few things, and I stuck to some other things, and then I gave in on something. It’s all for the betterment, it’s not about ego, who wrote what. And finally, it was coming together and we created something together. The fact that he was quite a sport, and for fun I wrote in the credits, ‘Introducing Javed Akhtar,’ just for the fun. And I was like, ‘Dekhiye acting main toh maine aapko introduce kiya hai.'” (See, in acting, I introduced you.)
Also Read | In Sudip Sharma’s superb Kohrra 2, the inheritance of mist shadows over tomorrow
Watch the episode of Cult Comebacks on Manto here:
She also added that the veteran screenwriter had no nerves before facing the camera: “He was a natural, because he has faced the camera for so long, he has done so many interviews, so he was very comfortable. And then I changed his parting, we did a full look of his, so it was very fun.”
Anas Arif is a prolific Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Analyst at The Indian Express, where he specializes in the intersection of Indian pop culture, auteur-driven cinema, and industrial ethics. His writing is defined by a deep-seated commitment to documenting the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment through the lens of critical theory and narrative authorship. Experience & Career As a core member of The Indian Express entertainment vertical, Anas has cultivated a unique beat that prioritizes the "craft behind the celebrity." He has interviewed a vast spectrum of industry veterans, from blockbuster directors like Vijay Krishna Acharya, Sujoy Ghosh, Maneesh Sharma to experimental filmmakers and screenwriters like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Varun Grover, Rajat Kapoor amongst several others. His career is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, where he frequently tackles the ethical implications of mainstream cinema and the socio-political subtext within popular media. He is also the host of the YouTube series Cult Comebacks, where he talks to filmmakers about movies that may not have succeeded initially but have, over time, gained a cult following. The show aims to explore films as works of art, rather than merely commercial ventures designed to earn box office revenue. Expertise & Focus Areas Anas's expertise lies in his ability to deconstruct cinematic works beyond surface-level reviews. His focus areas include: Auteur Studies: Detailed retrospectives and analyses of filmmakers such as Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap, and Neeraj Ghaywan, often exploring their central philosophies and creative evolutions. Cinematic Deconstruction: Examining technical and narrative choices, such as the use of aspect ratios in independent films (Sabar Bonda) or the structural rhythm of iconic soundtracks (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge). Industrial & Social Ethics: Fearless critique of commercial blockbusters, particularly regarding the promotion of bigoted visions or the marginalization of communities in mainstream scripts. Exclusive Long-form Interviews: Conducting high-level dialogues with actors and creators to uncover archival anecdotes and future-looking industry insights. Authoritativeness & Trust Anas Arif has established himself as a trusted voice by consistently moving away from standard PR-driven journalism. Whether he is interrogating the "mythology of Shah Rukh Khan" in modern sequels or providing a space for independent filmmakers to discuss the "arithmetic of karma," his work is rooted in objectivity and extensive research. Readers look to Anas for an educated viewpoint that treats entertainment not just as a commodity, but as a critical reflection of the country's collective conscience. ... Read More
Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
English (US) · 
French (CA) · 
French (FR) ·