Cannes 2024: Real Story Behind Shyam Benegal's 'Manthan'

Imagine a movie that did more than just entertain, it captured the beating heart of a nation's struggle and triumph. A film that wove together the threads of resilience, unity, and the power of people coming together for a common cause. That movie is ‘Manthan,’ a cinematic masterpiece that has etched its name in the annals of Indian cinema's rich heritage.

After decades of captivating audiences with amazing storytelling, this iconic gem is about to retake centre stage. The restored version of Shyam Benegal's critically acclaimed ‘Manthan’ is set to grace the prestigious 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, marking a return to the international spotlight.

Real Story Of Shyam Benegal’s Movie 'Manthan'

At its core, ‘Manthan’ (translated as "The Churning") is a celebration of India's "White Revolution," a grassroots movement that transformed the country from a milk-deficient nation to a global dairy powerhouse. The film is based on true events, telling the inspiring stories of Verghese Kurien, the visionary leader portrayed by legendary actor Girish Karnad.

According to Wikipedia, Kurien's unwavering determination to empower dairy farmers in Gujarat led to the formation of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Limited, now known as the iconic Amul brand. His efforts ignited a revolution that not only reclaimed the livelihoods of countless farmers but also paved the way for India's self-sufficiency in milk production.

Manthan's enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with audiences across generations, thanks to its gripping narrative rooted in real-life events. The film's sole song, "Mero Gaam Katha Paarey," composed by the legendary Vanraj Bhatia and sung by Preeti Sagar, has transcended its cinematic origins, becoming an integral part of Amul's iconic television commercials, as noted by Wikipedia.

Interestingly, Manthan itself was a product of crowdsourcing, with 500,000 farmers contributing to its production costs – a remarkable feat that underscores the film's deep connection with the very community it celebrates, as mentioned in a press statement from the Film Heritage Foundation.

In the words of Shyam Benegal himself, as quoted in the Film Heritage Foundation's press statement, "Manthan was an early example of crowdsourcing, with farmers paying for production costs."

With two National Film Awards for Best Feature Film in Hindi and Best Screenplay, Shyam Benegal’s movie ‘Manthan’ is considered one of his most celebrated films.

Cast Of ‘Manthan’

Manthan's powerful narrative is brought to life by a stellar ensemble cast, including Girish Karnad as Dr Rao (based on Verghese Kurien), Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Sarpanch, Smita Patil as Bindu, Naseeruddin Shah as Bhola, Mohan Agashe as Deshmukh, Anant Nag as Chandavarkar, Amrish Puri as Mishraji, and Rajendra Jaspal as Bindu's Husband, among others, as per IMDb.

At the Cannes Film Festival, the film ‘Manthan’ will be represented by Dungarpur, Kurien’s daughter, and delegates from the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation. Also attending from India are members of the late Smita Patil’s family. Naseeruddin Shah, who plays the role of the rebellious Dalit farmer Bhola in the film, will also be present at Cannes.

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Reflecting on the enduring legacy of "Manthan," Shah stated, “The film was a tremendous success almost 50 years ago and continues to be remembered today." Shah reminisced about his experience during the filming, recalling how he immersed himself in the character by living in a hut, learning to make cow dung cakes and milking buffaloes.

The restoration of ‘Manthan’ was accomplished from a 35mm celluloid print, involving efforts from the Film Heritage Foundation, Prasad Corporation Limited in Chennai, and the L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory in Bologna, Italy. The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, which originally funded ‘Manthan’ nearly five decades ago, provided support for the restoration, thus completing the cycle of a cinematic endeavour intertwined with a real-life initiative aimed at initiating economic development from the grassroots level.

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Image Courtesy: IMDb