April 9, 2025

AFS Cinema

Manthan (The Churning)

India | Narrative Feature

1976 | 134 mins | Hindi

Virtual Q&A

Cannes Classics 2024

"Manthan”, a fictionalized version of the beginnings of the remarkable dairy cooperative movement that transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer inspired by Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, is also India’s first crowdfunded film produced by 500,000 dairy farmers who contributed Rs. 2/- each towards the production of the film.

About the Artist

Shyam Benegal, a pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, is renowned for his socially conscious films tackling caste, gender, and socio-political issues. Born on December 14, 1934, he debuted with Ankur (1974), followed by acclaimed films like Nishant, Manthan, and Bhumika. Manthan was uniquely crowd-funded by 500,000 farmers, highlighting India's White Revolution.

Benegal has collaborated with legendary actors like Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah and directed the iconic TV series Bharat Ek Khoj (1988). Honored with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and multiple National Film Awards, his work continues to inspire and challenge societal norms.

Trailer

Credits

Crew:

Director:

Shyam Benegal

Writer:

V. Kurien

Shyam Benegal

Vijay Tendulkar

Producer(s):

Shyam Benegal/Sahyadri Films for Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.

Film Editor:

Bhanudas Diwkar

Featured Cast:

Girish Karnad

Smita Patil

Naseeruddin Shah

Anant Nag

Amrish Puri

Kulbushan Kharbanda

Mohan Agashe

Sadhu Meher

Rajendra Jaspal

Abha Dhulia

Anjali Paigankar

and the people of Sanganva