Nandita Das hopes to release 'Manto' by mid-2018

Actor-director Nandita Das, who is almost ready with her much-awaited movie, "Manto", hopes to release the film in the middle of the next year.

The movie which is based on the life of the celebrated short-story writer, Sadat Hasan Manto, features Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Jio MAMI 19th Mumbai Film Festival on Friday night. Das told reporters, "I am in the post-production of 'Manto'. You are asking a director how happy he or she is with their film, that's a tricky one but I know it can't get worse. It can only get better in the post-production."

"Editing is my favourite part of filmmaking. That's where you correct all the mistakes that you have made. It has been an incredible journey... Hopefully, it will be in theatres mid next year."

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"Both (Nawaz and Rasika Duggal) are wonderful. They are accomplished actors and also incredible human beings. When you spend so much time with actors, you want to work with good people. I have been very fortunate that both of them totally dedicated themselves to the film", she said.

The film also stars Rishi Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, Ranveer Shorey, Paresh Rawal, Tahir Raj Bhasin and Swanand Kirkere.

(With inputs from PTI)