Shyam Benegal's Manthan Celebrates Dr. Kurien's Vision in Stunning Restoration

Based on the white revolution of India, Shyam Benegal's Manthan is a rich tribute to the late great Dr. Verghese Kurien, who pioneered the milk co-operative movement better known as Amul. The film is also noted for being the largest crowd-funded project, in which five lakh farmers of Gujarat donated two rupees each to realise Mr. Kurien's achievement on celluloid.

Girish Karnad, always an admirable actor, portrays Dr. Rao (a nod to Kurien), who arrives with his team (Dr. Mohan Agashe and Anant Nag) to start a milk co-operative society in a small Gujarat village. The challenges he faces include the distrust of the villagers, rampant caste politics as well as the few rich and powerful exercising their clout and control over the entire milk industry.

Benegal not only tackles these multiple social issues but also weaves in a lovely mutual admiration between Dr. Rao and Bindu (Smita Patil), a low-caste married woman. Naseeruddin Shah as the Harijan Bhola, is another striking character and he just nails it in the climax. Anant Nag is also a standout as Rao's accomplice having an illicit affair with a young village belle (Anjali Paigankar).

Like milk, Manthan takes time to come to its boiling point. But once it gets there, there is a lot to be savoured...

This 1976 release was digitally restored and has re-released in select theatres this week. The restoration process is impressive and I recommend art-house connoisseurs to head to their nearest cinema pronto!!

#SNRating for #Manthan : Classics like these are too precious to be rated.

- Sumeet Nadkarni

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