Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan to be screened at Cannes

Manthan had a huge impact on the dairy cooperative movement, said GCMMF Managing Director Jayen Mehta. “It inspired millions of farmers across the nation to come together to form local dairy cooperatives and has contributed immensely towards India’s journey to self-sufficiency in milk production. Manthan made people believe that cattle rearing and milk production can be a sustainable and prosperous means of livelihood. India became the world’s largest milk producer in 1998 and has retained the position since,” he said.

Starring Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad and Amrish Puri, Manthan’s story revolves around the struggles and triumphs of a small group of poor farmers who come together to form a dairy cooperative to improve their economic conditions. It depicts the story of the inception of an extraordinary dairy cooperative movement that transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer.

Made at a budget of Rs 10 lakh, Manthan is also touted to be the first crowdfunded Indian film, with five lakh dairy farmers of GCMMF contributing Rs 2 each to fund its production cost. The film, which showcases the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives, marks a significant chapter in Indian cinema’s socially relevant narratives.

Manthan won 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 in 1976.