Amidst the glitz and glamour of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, an exquisite jewel of Indian cinema history shimmered brightly. The restored 4K rendition of “Manthan,” helmed by the visionary Shyam Benegal back in 1976, graced the silver screens. Transporting viewers to the rustic landscapes of a Gujarat village, this cinematic masterpiece took command of the illustrious Salle Bunuel, ensnaring hearts with its timeless tale.

Naseeruddin Shah, the maestro who breathed life into the protagonist of “Manthan,” paid homage to the trailblazers behind the project. Dr. Verghese Kurien, the pioneering force, stood tall in memory, alongside the luminaries like Smita Patil, Girish Karnad, Amrish Puri, and the musical virtuoso Vanraj Bhatia. Shah reminisced, his words a melody of gratitude woven with threads of doubt that once lingered. Yet, destiny unfurled its grandeur, catapulting the film and its creators into realms unforeseen.

“Manthan” wasn’t just a film; it was a revolution etched on celluloid, a departure from the conventional narratives of Hindi cinema. Beneath Benegal’s directorial gaze, it dared to bare the raw truths of society. Adorned with laurels, it clinched two National Film Awards in 1977 and proudly donned India’s colors at the 1976 Academy Awards, a beacon of its global resonance. The resurrection of “Manthan,” a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), Prasad Corporation, and L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, breathed vitality into its veins, ensuring its legacy endured for epochs to come.

As the curtains rose on “Manthan,” emotions ran deep for the kin of Smita Patil and Dr. Verghese Kurien. Prateik Babbar, the torchbearer of Patil’s legacy, stood alongside her sisters, Anita Patil Deshmukh and Manya Patil Seth. Nirmala Kurien, the daughter of the visionary Kurien, graced the event, a testament to her father’s indelible imprint. The restored opus of “Manthan” now prepares to traverse 70 cities, beckoning audiences to immerse themselves in its timeless saga come June 1st.