A restored version of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 classic Manthan will be released theatrically in India on June 1, Film Heritage Foundation, the organisation which restored the film, announced on Thursday.
Manthan chronicles the milk cooperative movement in India and its re-release in theatres coincides with World Milk Day. It will be screened in 100 cinemas across 45 to 50 cities in India, including major multiplex chains such as PVR-Inox and Cinepolis.
The restored version of the film, headlined by Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah, was recently screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
“So excited that “Manthan”will be releasing in 50 cities all over India and almost 100 cinemas on June 1st and June 2nd at PVR -INOX and Cinépolis theatres… Ultimate aim of restoring a film is to bring back to the public…. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch this restored Classic,” Dungarpur wrote on X.
“An unmissable opportunity for audiences across the country in cities ranging from the big metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai to smaller cities like Dharwad, Kakinada, Nadiad, Bhatinda, Panipat and Kozhikode to watch the beautifully restored film,” the official handle of the Film Heritage Foundation added.
Manthan holds the distinction of being India's first crowd-funded film, with financial backing from 5,00,000 farmers in Gujarat. Each of the farmers involved contributed Rs 2 to its production. The film features a stellar cast including Girish Karnad, Mohan Agashe, Anant Nag, Amrish Puri, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda, alongside Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah.
