I am not going back to television: Sonal

Actress Sonal Sehgal, who is busy promoting her film Mantostaan — based on the stories of celebrated writer Saadat Hasan Manto says that her film is different from Nandita Das’s Manto.

The actress is aware that Nandita’s film, which is still in its making, has grabbed all the attention but asserts that she herself is looking forward to watch Manto: “I think because Nandita has established herself as an amazing director, so obviously, people are waiting for her film. Nawaz is one of the best actors of our generation and I myself am waiting for that movie. The difference that lies here is that Nandita’s film is a biopic on Manto whereas in my film there is no Manto, but only his stories.”

Mantostaan is an amalgamation of four short stories — Khol Do, Thanda Ghosht, Aakhri Salute and Assignment. And the actress will be seen playing Kalwant Kaur from one of Manto’s

Thanda Gosht.

On another note, Sonal who is still trying to make a mark in the showbiz agrees to the fact that the industry is star driven: “The industry is star driven unfortunately… but independent cinema is growing. For the people who do not want to fall into that star driven trap and make good cinema another medium is opening up. The star driven industry can keep doing what it is doing and we will do what we are doing.” She started her career in television and gained popularity with shows like Saara Akaash and Hotel Kingston. Sonal, then, made her debut on the big screen with Nagesh Kukunoor’s movie Aashayein. However, Sonal says that she has no interest in returning to TV as she feels it’s become more regressive: “I am not returning to TV. Earlier we had saas bahus now we have nagins and all. That’s so regressive. I am definitely not going there. I am interested in digital series as they are exploring it really well. With digital the quality is in your hand you don’t have to meet the deadline to up link tomorrow,”

I am interested in digital series as they are exploring it really well