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

India’s first crowd funded film, helmed by Veteran director Shyam Benegal was screened at Cannes Film Festival. ‘Manthan’, a film financed by 5 lakh farmers of Gujarat 48 years ago, made a triumphant return to the spotlight and public consciousness with its screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

‘Manthan’ restored version shines at Cannes 2024

A restored version of the 1976 movie, inspired by the groundbreaking milk cooperative movement by Dr Verghese Kurien that transformed India into one of the largest milk producers in the world, was showcased under the Cannes Classics segment on Friday.

According to the festival's official website, the restoration of "Manthan" was carried out using the 35mm original camera negative preserved at the NFDC-National Film Archive of India with sound digitised from the 35 mm release print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation.

Benegal on ‘Manthan’ at Cannes 2024

Benegal, who skipped the premiere due to health reasons, recalled how the farmers of Gujarat also made the film a hit by watching it en masse in theatres. "The farmers, who had produced the film, helped make it successful. Once the film opened in Saurashtra, Gujarat, it had an excellent run. It was because of the farmers, they were the original audience of the film. They got their families. They wanted everybody to see it as they believed it was their film. They all would come on bullock carts to see the film, be it from Ahmedabad, Baroda or other places in Gujarat. We didn't do any kind of publicity, the film developed its own momentum," the 89-year-old filmmaker told PTI earlier this week.

More about Shyam Benegal ‘Manthan’

Fronted by Smita Patil, the film was inspired by the milk cooperative movement of Verghese Kurien, who led 'Operation Flood' to transform India from a milk-deficient country to one of the world's biggest milk producers and is credited for creating the billion-dollar brand Amul.
Co-written by Benegal and celebrated playwright Vijay Tendulkar, Gujarat-set ‘Manthan’ was one of its kind as it was entirely crowdfunded by 5 lakh farmers who donated Rs 2 each.

Also Watch: Cannes 2024: Kiara Advani picks thigh-high slit white gown by Prabal Gurung for red carpet debut | Watch