Naseeruddin Shah's 'Manthan' was screened at the Cannes Film Festival recently, and it was attended by late actor Smita Patil’s son Prateik Babbar as well.
Shyam Benegal's classic film ‘Manthan’ released in 1976 and featured several renowned actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, Smita Patil, and Amrish Puri. Now a restored version of the 1976 movie was screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, and it was attended by Naseeruddin Shah and his wife-actor Ratna Pathak Shah. Joining them were Smita Patil's actor-son Prateik Babbar, and Verghese Kurien's daughter, Nirmala Kurien, and Amul MD Jayen Mehta.
Now several photos of them walking the guests walking the red carpet have surfaced online, and they all expressed their excitement as they represent India on the global stage. Naseeuddin Shah, who marked his debut at Cannes, wore a white ‘gala bandh’ sherwani while his wife Ratna was seen in a saree.
Take a look at the pictures below:
The film, which was inspired by the groundbreaking milk cooperative movement by Dr Verghese Kurien, was screened under the Cannes Classics segment on Friday. Benegal, who missed the premiere due to health reasons, recalled how the farmers of Gujarat made the film a hit by watching it in huge numbers in theatres.
Coming to the film's screening, the entire cast was honoured with a standing ovation from the audience. Prateik even shared the overwhelming moment on his Instagram story.
Not just that, ahead of the grand screening, Prateik posted a note for his late mother, Smita Patil, and wrote, “The legacy continues 37 years since she leftâ€æ And, 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) it's difficult to articulate into words the whirlwind of emotions I've been feeling as soon as I found out the news.. but I think it's safe to say that I am the proudest son (sic),” he wrote on Instagram.
For those caught unaware, Manthan, which was also released under the translated title The Churning, was helmed by Shyam Benegal. It was inspired by the milk cooperative movement of Verghese Kurien, and penned by Benegal and Vijay Tendulkar. Set amidst the backdrop of the White Revolution of India, the film highlights not only the measurable success of the movement but also how the power of "collective might" was overwhelming. Being the first crowdfunded Indian film, Manthan was entirely crowdfunded by 500,000 farmers who donated Rs. 2 each.
Manthan bagged the 1977 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Vijay Tendulkar. It was also India's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for 1976.
The film’s title song ("Mero Gaam Katha Parey") was crooned by Preeti Sagar, and she bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film. The track was later used as the soundtrack for Amul’s TV commercial.
