An archive of Hindi movie reviews and ratings from 2010 to 2020.
  • Mantostaan

    28

    Generally unfavourable reviews (?)
    Based on 9 critics

    Cast & Crew

    Summary

    Mantostaan is a dark satire based on four controversial short stories (Khol DO, Thanda Ghosht, Assignment and Aakhri Salute) of Legendary Urdu writer Saadat Hassan Manto. Stories are set in 1947 India Pakistan partition time throwing a spotlight on most inhuman side of human beings.

    Manto's Characters take you to a very dark satirical world where his characters grab your breath by portraying darkness yet innocence, gritty yet humorous at parts... Mantostaan talks about the sufferings of common people and how the most beautiful creature called human being turns into the ugliest.

    Trailer

Critic reviews and ratings

  • ...seems like the first draft of a potentially unputdownable book. A slightly more experienced filmmaker would have done wonders with it. But in this state, it’s like a decent read with a great epilogue.

    49

    Critic rating (?)

  • The effort of actor-writer-director Rahat Kazmi is, therefore, irrefutably pertinent and praiseworthy. The result, alas, is uneven. Mantostaan is devoid of the gut-wrenching punch that Manto's seething pen could deliver at will.

    49

    Critic rating (?)

  • ...the film fails in translation: it is a forced construct, and comes off flat and stagey, both in treatment and performance.

    39

    Critic rating (?)

  • Lack of research, exaggerated violence and a forced attempt at stitching the short stories together makes this an exhausting watch.

    29

    Critic rating (?)

  • The acting is largely amateurish, the scenes are poorly paced and directed, and the production is far too tacky for the big screen.

    19

    Critic rating (?)

  • The bizarre splicing together of four stories makes no sense whatsoever. Just because the filmmakers chose to ride on the shoulder of a literary giant does not make the film worthy.

    19

    Critic rating (?)

  • Manto would be better read than seen in Mantostaan.

    19

    Critic rating (?)

  • ...is a pointless blunder as a film. What a pitiful, terrible waste of a cult literature.

    19

    Critic rating (?)

  • Manto’s writings are as relevant to our troubled times as they were when he lived. Their enduring meaning and beauty are completely lost though in this poor production.

    09

    Critic rating (?)

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