Smitten by celluloid once more, the Cannes Film Festival will screen a restored version of Shyam Benegal's landmark film 'Manthan' (1976) as part of its prestigious Cannes Classics section.
This announcement, made by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder of the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) on Thursday, marks a significant moment for Indian cinema preservation and a testament to Benegal's enduring legacy.
Fronted by the late Smita Patil, 'Manthan' chronicles the genesis of India's pioneering milk cooperative movement spearheaded by Verghese Kurien.
Kurien's 'Operation Flood' transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world's largest milk producer, and in turn, birthed the billion-dollar brand Amul.
The inclusion of 'Manthan' in Cannes Classics, a section established two decades ago to showcase restored classics and documentaries, signifies a remarkable achievement for the FHF.
This marks the third consecutive year that a restored film by the foundation will grace the Cannes stage. In 2022, G Aravindan's Malayalam masterpiece 'Thampu' (1978) found a new audience at Cannes Classics, followed by the restored Manipuri film 'Ishanou' (directed by Aribam Syam Sharma) last year.
Dungarpur, expressing his elation on a social media platform, noted, "Unbelievable Third year in a row at Cannes Film Festival...Film Heritage Foundation is proud to bring the Restoration of Shyam Benegal’s milestone film 'Manthan' produced by 500,000 farmers who gave rupees 2 to produce this film…I wish Smita Patil was here to see this..."
This poignant message underscores the unique production story of 'Manthan'. Believed to be the first crowd-funded film in India, 'Manthan' was entirely financed by over half a million farmers, each contributing a symbolic Rs 2.
This collective spirit not only fueled the film's creation but also resonated with its core theme of cooperative endeavour.
Co-written by Benegal and the celebrated playwright Vijay Tendulkar, the film delves into the complexities of the dairy industry through the lens of a fictional village in Gujarat.
Patil's powerful performance as a strong-willed woman fighting for farmers' rights remains etched in cinematic memory.
'Manthan's' accolades further solidify its place in Indian film history. The film garnered two National Film Awards in 1977 - Best Feature Film in Hindi and Best Screenplay for Tendulkar.
It also secured the prestigious honour of being India's official entry to the 1976 Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Furthermore, the film's title song, "Mero Gaam Katha Parey," sung by Preeti Sagar, transcended the cinematic realm and became the soundtrack for a popular Amul television commercial.
The FHF, a Mumbai-based non-profit organisation, plays a vital role in safeguarding India's cinematic heritage.
Through meticulous restoration efforts, the foundation breathes new life into these classics, ensuring their accessibility for future generations.
At the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, Indian cinema will be further represented by Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine As Light' in the coveted Competition section, where it will vie for the Palme d'Or, the festival's highest honour.
Additionally, 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know', a short film by students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), will be screened in the La Cinef Competitive section.
The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, scheduled from May 14th to 25th, promises to be a vibrant platform for global cinema, with 'Manthan's' restored glory adding a touch of Indian cinematic history to the prestigious event.
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