Actor Naseeruddin Shah recently shared his emotional experience attending the screening of his 1976 film Manthan at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Nearly 50 years after its release, the film was honored at the prestigious event, bringing back poignant memories for the actor.
An Emotional Experience at Cannes
Speaking with Brut India, Naseeruddin Shah described the screening as a “terribly emotional experience.” He expressed immense pride in Manthan, a film he treasures dearly. Shah mentioned that being part of the festival and walking the red carpet felt “unreal.” He said, “I have always seen the red carpet ceremony either on video or in photographs… I never dreamt I’d be a part of that one day.”
Remembering Dear Friends and Co-Stars
Naseeruddin Shah fondly remembered his co-stars and friends from Manthan. He shared heartfelt memories of Girish Karnad, Smita Patil, and Amrish Puri. Shah said, “Girish was a friend and my teacher. He was the director of FTII. Smita was a dear friend and so was Amrish. None of them are there any longer.” The screening brought back memories of the entire cast and crew, making it a moving experience for Shah, who admitted he could hardly hold back his tears.
The Legacy of Manthan
Directed by Shyam Benegal, Manthan is inspired by the pioneering milk cooperative movement led by Verghese Kurien. Set against the backdrop of the White Revolution in India, the film highlights the impact of cooperative movements in rural India. Remarkably, Manthan was entirely crowdfunded by 500,000 farmers, each contributing ₹2, showcasing the power of community support in filmmaking.
The Screening at Cannes
The Manthan screening at Cannes was a special event attended by notable personalities. Naseeruddin Shah was accompanied by his wife, Ratna Pathak Shah. Also present were Smita Patil’s son, Prateik Babbar, Verghese Kurien’s daughter, Nirmala Kurien, and Smita Patil’s sisters, Anita Patil Deshmukh and Manya Patil Seth. Shah expressed that seeing all those familiar faces and revisiting the film after so many years was profoundly moving.
Manthan’s Timeless Appeal
Reflecting on the film’s impact, Naseeruddin Shah stated, “I feel prouder of this film than I have ever felt. I’ve always treasured this film very dearly to my heart. And I find that the film has really stood the test of time.” The enduring relevance of Manthan continues to resonate with audiences, underscoring its significance in Indian cinema.