Entertainment News: ‘Manthan’, the Film Depicting the Inspiring Amul Story, to Be Showcased at Cannes; Big B Writes Praise

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Indian classic film ‘Manthan’ to be screened at Cannes Film Festival

The Indian film industry has a rich history of producing timeless classics that have made a mark on the global stage. Among these iconic films is Shyam Benegal’s ‘Manthan’, which is set to be screened at the ongoing 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

Inspired by the pioneering milk cooperative movement of Verghese Kurien, ‘Manthan’ tells the story of how Kurien led ‘Operation Flood’, transforming India from a milk-deficient country to the world’s largest producer of milk and dairy products. The film, which was crowdfunded by 5 lakh farmers of Gujarat, features a stellar cast including the late Smita Patil, Girish Karnad, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Naseeruddin Shah.

Restored in 4K, ‘Manthan’ is the only Indian film to be screened under the Cannes Classic section of the festival this year. The premiere of the restored version will be attended by Naseeruddin Shah, family members of Smita Patil, the producers of the film, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of the Film Heritage Foundation.

Director Shyam Benegal expressed his delight at the restoration of ‘Manthan’, stating, “It is wonderful to see the film come back to life almost like we made it yesterday.” Megastar Amitabh Bachchan also praised the Film Heritage Foundation for its commitment to preserving India’s cinematic history.

Naseeruddin Shah, who stars in the film, shared his experience of working on ‘Manthan’, highlighting the film’s unique crowdfunding model and its impact on Indian cinema. The film, which won two National Film Awards in 1977, was India’s official entry to the 1976 Academy Awards.

The restoration of ‘Manthan’ is a testament to the Film Heritage Foundation’s dedication to preserving India’s cinematic heritage. The film’s screening at Cannes is a fitting tribute to its legacy and the visionary work of Verghese Kurien in revolutionizing India’s dairy industry.

Team@GQN.