Cannes 2024: Naseeruddin Shah’s debut at the film festival, Prateik Babbar remembers mother Smita Patil

Shyam Benegal’s timeless ‘Manthan’ became the only Indian film to be screened at the prestigious film festival’s Cannes Classic section. The film starred some of the finest actors like Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah and Amrish Puri in main roles. Naseeruddin Shah along with his wife Ratna Pathak Shah and late Smita Patil’s son Prateik Babbar attended the screening.

Representing India, Naseeruddin Shah walked the red carpet at Cannes for the first time ever. Dressed in a white gala bandh sherwani, the veteran actor posed for the pictures with wife Ratna Pathak Shah who looked elegant in a saree. The film also received a standing ovation from the audience after its screening. In a video shared by Prateik Babbar, Shah can be seen hugging Prateik Babbar as he received standing ovation.

Prateik Babbar remembers Smita Patil

An emotional Prateik Babbar took to his Instagram to remember his mother and legendary actor Smita Patil on the occasion. Along with film’s poster, he wrote, “the legacy continues.. 37 years since she left.. & yet she never ceases to blow my mind.. seeing her face at the #2024 ‘cannes film festival’ 37 years after her death.. on a #1976 film poster of her film ‘manthan’ restored for a world premiere in the ‘cannes classics section’ will be one of the most symbolic & iconic celebratory moments of my life.. & her legacy.. (for me). Despite finding it difficult to articulate his emotions in words, the actor said that he is the proudest son.

Dr Verghese Kurien’s daughter attends screening

Among the other attendees were Dr Verghese Kurien's daughter Nirmala Kurien and Amul MD Jayen Mehta. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder of Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), the not-for-profit organisation behind the restored print, also attended the film's screening.

Amul pays tribute to film

Amul posted along with a creative doodle dedicated to the film. The creative ad’s caption read, “Humara Makhan, Humara Manthan.”

Awards and accolades to the film

The film won two National Film Awards in 1977: for best feature film in Hindi and for best screenplay for Tendulkar. It was also India's official entry to the 1976 Academy Awards in the best foreign language film category.

Also Watch: ‘Manthan’ at Cannes 2024: Shyam Benegal’s restored version of farmers-funded classic screened