In a historic moment for both the Indian cinema and the cooperative sector, Shyam Benegal’s acclaimed 1976 film “Manthan” is set to premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
The announcement has stirred excitement among film enthusiasts and cooperative veterans alike, marking a significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of India’s cinematic heritage.
Former MD of GCMMF, R S Sodhi, took to Twitter to express his pride in the film’s recognition. Sodhi’s tweet highlighted the significance of “Manthan,” which portrays the inspiring journey of India’s dairy cooperative movement. Amitabh Bachchan, in a heartfelt response, lauded the efforts of the Film Heritage Foundation in restoring and showcasing India’s cinematic treasures to the world.
“Manthan,” produced in collaboration with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and Film Heritage Foundation, narrates the story of Dr. Verghese Kurien’s visionary leadership in revolutionizing India’s dairy industry.
With stellar performances from an exceptional cast including Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, and Amrish Puri, the film continues to resonate with audiences for its compelling narrative and social impact.
Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of GCMMF, emphasized the profound influence of “Manthan” in instilling belief in the potential of dairy farming as a sustainable livelihood. He credited the film for inspiring millions and contributing to India’s rise as the world’s largest milk producer since 1998.
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah also expressed his happiness and wrote on twitter “NDDB is proud to see that India’s first crowd funded film showcasing the incredible journey of cooperative dairy farmers uniting to create a world-renowned cooperative like@Amul_Coop is getting its well-deserved recognition at the Cannes Film Festival (@Festival_Cannes)! ‘Manthan’, produced by Gujarat’s dairy farmers and directed by Shyam Benegal, beautifully captures this inspiring story of socio-economic transformation.”
What makes “Manthan” even more remarkable is its grassroots origins. Financed through crowd-funding, the film received contributions from five lakh GCMMF farmers, symbolizing their collective support for the project. This collaborative effort resulted in “Manthan” winning two National Awards in 1977 and representing India at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film in 1976.
As the 77th Cannes Film Festival approaches, the selection of “Manthan” reaffirms its timeless relevance and cultural significance. Its premiere at Cannes not only honours the legacy of Indian cinema but also pays tribute to the extraordinary individuals who transformed a nation’s dairy landscape.
