What we say today might offend somebody tomorrow. While self-censorship of thought is healthy, these days, consequences of any word uttered can be truly horrendous. 

At a time like this, Nandita Das gives us a glimpse of Saadat Hasan Manto, one of the greatest writers from South Asia. A man who was fearless in his thoughts and wrote about things as they were. Charged several times for obscenity in his writings, Manto once said “I am not a pornographer but a story writer.” 

While news about Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing Manto in a full-length film by Nandita Das was already out, the director revealed a little something for the audience. As a part of the India Today Conclave’s initiative India Tomorrow, Das presented Nawaz as Manto in her short film, In Defence Of Freedom.

In this short film, Nawaz lectures a classroom about one’s right to hold and express their opinion, even if it is obscene, just like the society we live in.

Watch it here:

It’s an absolute must-watch!