Director Shyam Benegal’s ‘Manthan’, a film inspired by the pioneering milk cooperative movement of Verghese Kurien, is set to be screened at the film festival on Friday.
The 1976 film, restored on 4K, is the only Indian film to be screened under the Cannes Classic section of the festival this year. ‘Manthan’ has been restored by the Film Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation founded by filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur.
The premiere of the restored version of the film will be attended by actor Naseeruddin Shah, the family members of the late actress Smita Patil, the producers of the film, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of the Film Heritage Foundation. Both Patil and Shah starred in the movie.
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, currently attending the Cannes Film Festival, has partnered with Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF) to launch a new initiative supporting women filmmakers in India. Founded in 1973, WIF has been advocating for gender equity in the screen industries for over 50 years.
Additionally, renowned Punjabi singer Sunanda Sharma, best known for her tracks “Duji Vaar Pyar” and “Mummy Nu Pasand,” walked the iconic red carpet at Cannes. She also performed at Bharat Parva, an event celebrating Indian cinema, culture, cuisine, and handicrafts.
(With ANI input)