While the first look of Nawazuddin as Nandita Das’ Manto created massive buzz, the project is currently in the news for its other characters. One such pivotal role is being played by Rasika Dugal, who plays the role of Safia Manto, the wife of the famous novelist cum playwright.

Manto- Pandolin.com

Rasika with Nandita Das and Nawazuddin Siddiqui during the readings for Manto

Nandita Das has in her earlier interviews expressed the lack of information and characterisation of the legendary writer’s wife who played an important role in his life. The team has recently begun shooting in Gujarat and now the first look of Rasika as Safia Manto has been revealed.

Safia had simple looks with round glasses and wore simple Indian attire and much like Nawaz’s look, Rasika’s look as his on-screen wife in the biopic is absolutely spot-on. The actor manages to successfully embody the look of the real life character.

Says Rasika, “I got very excited when I first saw the look come together. I was really happy with the outcome and all I could think was that I do look like her in the get up. I feel this look has been achieved through research and that was always the intent, to make Safia’s character as close as possible to her real life look.”