Shyam Benegal, a luminary in Indian cinema, has shaped the narrative of socially conscious filmmaking with his nuanced storytelling and deep understanding of human emotions. Known for his ability to weave compelling narratives around everyday lives, Benegal's films explore the complexities of socio-economic realities, gender dynamics, and cultural traditions. From his debut masterpiece Ankur to the celebrated Manthan and Bhumika, his work transcends entertainment, offering a profound commentary on societal structures. His films stand as a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for change, earning him a revered place among India’s greatest auteurs.

This January, our tribute film festival celebrates Shyam Benegal’s unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. Every Wednesday evening, audiences are invited to revisit his iconic works, engage with their timeless relevance, and explore his unique cinematic language. The retrospective serves as an ode to his artistic genius and an opportunity to inspire new generations of filmmakers and cinephiles to carry forward his legacy of meaningful storytelling.

Film Title: MANTHAN | 1976 | 134 Mins | India | Hindi with English Subtitles

About the film: Manthan, also released under the translated title The Churning, is a 1976 Hindi film directed by Shyam Benegal, inspired by the pioneering milk cooperative movement of Verghese Kurien, and written jointly by him and Vijay Tendulkar. It is set amidst the backdrop of India's White Revolution. Aside from this project's great measurable success, it also demonstrated the power of "collective might" as it was entirely crowdfunded by 500,000 farmers who donated Rs. 2 each. Manthan is the first crowdfunded Indian film.

The film 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. A restored version was released in the Cannes Classics section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Preeti Sagar sang the title song ("Mero Gaam Katha Parey"). She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for that year. The song was later used as the soundtrack for Amul's television commercial.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!