In the mid-1970s, half a million dairy farmers from Gujarat, India, each contributed two rupees to create a film that would become a landmark in Indian cinema.
The Birth of Manthan: A Collective Effort
“Manthan” (The Churning), directed by the esteemed Shyam Benegal, holds the distinction of being India’s first crowd-funded film. This 134-minute film, released in 1976, offers a fictionalized portrayal of the beginnings of India’s dairy cooperative movement. This movement, inspired by Verghese Kurien—revered as the “Milkman of India”—transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer, now accounting for nearly a quarter of global milk production.
Reviving a Classic: Manthan at Cannes
Nearly five decades later, a meticulously restored “Manthan” is set for a red-carpet world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, standing proudly among works by legends like Jean-Luc Godard, Akira Kurosawa, and Wim Wenders. Restoring the film posed significant challenges, as noted by filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur. The only remnants were a damaged negative and two faded prints, with the negative marred by fungus and the sound negative entirely destroyed. The restoration team painstakingly salvaged what they could, borrowing and digitizing sound from the remaining print. Under the guidance of a renowned Bologna-based film restoration lab, with Shyam Benegal and his long-time cinematographer Govind Nihalani overseeing, the film was rejuvenated in 4K ultra high definition.
A Film Close to the Heart
At 89, Benegal reminisces about the making of “Manthan,” expressing his joy at seeing the film revived. “It looks better than the first print,” he enthuses. He recalls Kurien’s initial hesitation to fund the film due to his reluctance to accept money from farmers. However, Kurien eventually proposed a cooperative funding model where each farmer contributed two rupees, thus making them producers of their own story.
A Star-Studded Cast and a Realistic Portrayal
“Manthan” features an impressive cast, including Girish Karnad, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Mohan Agashe. Renowned playwright Vijay Tendulkar contributed the script, and Vanraj Bhatia composed the music. The film’s plot follows a city-bred government veterinary doctor who, along with his team, attempts to establish a dairy cooperative in a divided Gujarat village, facing resistance from various local figures.
Challenges and Triumphs in Filmmaking
Filming “Manthan” was a challenging yet rewarding experience. The 45-day shoot was marked by tight budgets and logistical hurdles, with the crew using various film stocks to complete the project. The cast and crew lived like a family in the village, with many locals participating in the film. Actors wore the same costumes throughout the shoot to maintain authenticity. Naseeruddin Shah, who will present the film at Cannes, recalls immersing himself completely in his role, living in a hut and performing daily tasks to get into character.
A Legacy of Change and Inspiration
“Manthan” was initially released in Gujarat to overwhelming success, with its largest audience being the very farmers who funded it. The film’s widespread impact included screenings at the UN General Assembly and winning a National Award in India. Kurien leveraged the film’s success to further promote the milk revolution, distributing prints nationwide to encourage the establishment of cooperatives.
Shyam Benegal emphasizes that “Manthan” underscores cinema’s powerful role in driving social change. The film’s exploration of issues relevant to contemporary India ensures its continued significance. The opening scene, featuring a train arriving on time in a quiet village, encapsulates the blend of humor and social commentary that defines this timeless classic.
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