Cannes 2024: Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil premieres; Naseeruddin Shah receives standing ovation and he hugs Prateik Babbar, watch videos

The 77th Cannes Film Festival witnessed a special moment for Indian cinema on Friday, May 17, 2024, with the prestigious red-carpet premiere of Shyam Benegal's classic film Manthan in the Cannes Classics section. The restored version of the 1976 film, a collaborative effort between the Film Heritage Foundation and Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., marked Manthan's world premiere in its new 4K glory. Significantly, it was also the sole Indian film selected for Cannes Classics this year.

Actors Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Prateik Babbar graced the red carpet, alongside Dr. Verghese Kurien's daughter, Nirmala Kurien, and Amul MD Jayen Mehta. Amul India even shared glimpses of the event on their official social media accounts.

“Manthan” team of Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Prateik Babbar, Ms Nirmala Kurien, @FHF_Official team, & Shri @Jayen_Mehta, MD, Amul, representing 3.6 million farmer producers of the film at @Festival_Cannes#ManthanAtCannes Watch the Manthan film: https://t.co/8ETP9OxnmA pic.twitter.com/w2kBn2bwnp

— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) May 17, 2024

The screening itself proved to be a heartwarming success. Audiences reportedly enjoyed the film, with Naseeruddin Shah receiving a well-deserved standing ovation. This outpouring of appreciation highlights the enduring power of Manthan and its ability to resonate with viewers even decades after its release.

#ShyamBenegal’s #Manthan is still so inspiring. Never give up the good fight. The 4K restored print shown @Festival_Cannes was beautiful. Thnx @FHF_Official. On 1/6 this print will be shown in 70+ cities in India. Also there was a standing ovation at Cannes for #NaseeruddinShah. pic.twitter.com/Y4rR1pnrWK — Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) May 18, 2024

For those unfamiliar, Manthan tells a compelling story set against the backdrop of India's dairy revolution. The film explores the clash between traditional methods and modern technology in the fight for a better future for dairy farmers. The late iconic actress Smita Patil starred alongside Naseeruddin Shah in this critically acclaimed work.

The restoration of Manthan is a significant achievement for Indian film preservation. The film, a fictionalized version of the beginnings of the extraordinary dairy cooperative movement that transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer inspired by Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution, is also India’s first crowd-sourced film produced by 5,00,000 dairy farmers who contributed Rs. 2 each towards the production of the film.

Released in 1976, Manthan (Hindi for The Churning) is a film by director Shyam Benegal that explores the challenges and triumphs of social change in rural India. Set against the backdrop of a village struggling with poverty and exploitation, the film chronicles the arrival of Dr. Rao (Girish Karnad), an idealistic veterinarian, who attempts to establish a milk cooperative movement.

The narrative unfolds in Sanganva, a village rife with social inequalities. The villagers, particularly the Dalit community (considered "untouchables" in the caste system), are forced to sell their milk at meagre prices to Mishraji (Amrish Puri), a local businessman with a monopoly on the dairy trade. The village headman (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), representing the upper caste, upholds the status quo, fearing a loss of power if the established social hierarchy is disrupted. Bhola (Naseeruddin Shah), the leader of the Dalit community, initially views Dr. Rao with suspicion, a sentiment echoed by Bindu (Smita Patil), a strong-willed milkmaid.

Dr. Rao's vision is one of equitable distribution of profits, free from the exploitation of middlemen. This radical idea disrupts the existing power structures, sparking mistrust, anger, and resistance. The village headman and Mishraji, threatened by the potential loss of control, actively oppose the cooperative movement. Bhola's initial skepticism gradually gives way to cautious support as Dr. Rao's commitment to fair treatment becomes evident.

As Dr. Rao gains the trust of the villagers, particularly Bindu, Mishraji resorts to underhanded tactics. He exploits the existing social divisions, manipulating Bindu's husband to fabricate a false accusation of rape against Dr. Rao. Devastated by the betrayal, Dr. Rao contemplates leaving the village. However, Bhola, inspired by Dr. Rao's vision, steps forward to continue the cooperative's development. With the villagers' support, and Bindu's eventual vindication, the cooperative flourishes, offering a glimmer of hope for a more just future. ALSO READ: Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil to premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024

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