‘Walking the red carpet and representing India at the Cannes for Manto was surreal,’ shares actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, on the anniversary of the film. By Team Viva

Three years ago today, Manto, a biographical drama film about the prominent Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto, written and directed by Nandita Das, released. While Nawazuddin Siddiqui essayed the lead role, Tahir Raj Bhasin played the 1940s Bollywood superstar Shyam Chadda, Manto’s friend, confidant, and inspiration for a number of stories

After making a critically-acclaimed debut in Mardaani, in Manto, Bhasin made a bold career move to depart from commercial cinema. He was refreshing in the film, which was India’s selection at the Cannes film festival and Bhasin courted praises from all quarters.

On the third release anniversary of the critically acclaimed drama, Bhasin reveals, “Working with Siddiqui on Manto was a live masterclass. Chadha, the film star (Tahir’s character in the film), and Manto were a real life duo who had epic adventures against the backdrop of 50’s Bombay cinema. Translating this friendship on screen meant doing a range of scenes from a brotherly bond to a drastic conflict and a sudden parting of ways. To explore all of these shades with an illustrious co-star like him was a treat. His timing, sense of humour and humility are things that I imbibed while shooting the film.”

He further adds, “Das is a director with impeccable taste and this shows in the films she creates. She brought out a nuanced performance from me, which wouldn’t have been possible were it not for her eye for detail. The film’s journey was supersonic. We transitioned from shooting in the villages of Gujarat to the Red Carpet at Cannes within a year. Walking the red carpet, representing India at Cannes, interacting with international press and the jury was surreal. To experience this with two of Indian cinema’s tycoons Nawaz and Nandita at Cannes, was the icing on the cake.”

Bhasin will next be seen in Looop Lapeta as a romantic lead, opposite Taapsee Pannu, and in Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, in which he has been paired with Shweta Tripathi. He also plays the role of Sunil Gavaskar in Kabir Khan’s 83.