Manto Mera Dost — Biographical Drama

Manto Mera Dost, presented at Auditorium 1 of the Arts Council Karachi as part of the World Culture Festival – Karachi 2026, is a Pakistani literary biographical drama that brings to life the extraordinary bond between two of the subcontinent's most daring literary voices. Written and directed by Anwer Jafri, the play follows the friendship between Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Hasan Manto from their first meeting in 1942 in Bombay, through the devastating Partition of the subcontinent in 1947, and until Manto's death in 1955. Oscillating between moments of sharp humor and profound tragedy, the drama captures their celebrated wit and their shared grief over the division of their homeland — making it both an intimate portrait of friendship and a meditation on literary courage. Genre: Literary Biographical Drama Language: Urdu Duration: 90 minutes Entry is free for all. Registration is mandatory and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The World Culture Festival – Karachi 2026 runs from 29 October to 22 November 2026, presented by the Arts Council of Pakistan.