The magic of Hindi cinema resonated at the French Theater in Cannes on May 17, when Shyam Benegal’s epic Manthan premiered at the prestigious film festival’s 77th edition. This classic 1976 film adaptation, starring the late Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah, created a wave of nostalgia and appreciation for the timeless story. The Prime Minister was linked with veteran actor Naseeruddin and Ratu Ratna Pathak Shah. Late Smita Patil’s son Prateik Babbar was also present on the occasion. Dr Verghese Kurien’s daughters, Nirmala Kurien, and Anita Patil Deshmukh and Smita Patil’s sister Manya Patil Seth were present to celebrate the film’s legacy. Dr. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. and film producers also joined the delegation.
Speaking to Brut India on the French Riviera, Naseeruddin Shah expressed his feelings about the film’s release after almost fifty years. She said she was excited to attend the red carpet event, which she had only witnessed on screen before. The king and his wife chose simple clothes for the occasion. “It’s impossible for me. I always see red carpet events on video or in pictures. I see all these beautiful women parading in their beautiful dresses. I never dreamed that I would be part of that day. So my wife and I decided to stay as simple as possible. It’s definitely an exciting experience,” he said.
The veteran actor was deeply moved by the experience. He shared that he had several friends who were a part of the film, including his friends and teachers at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Girish Karnad, Smita Patil and Amrish Puri. PEOPLE
Shah admitted that he fought back tears as he marveled at the significance of the film and the memories associated with his colleagues. He also said, “He had many friends in the film. My friend and teacher introduced me. The director of FTII. Smita and Amrish are also dear friends. None of them are there anymore. So it was a fascinating experience. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I found the film it really stands the test of time.”
Shah admits that when portraying a character, with his current experience, he can approach his role with a greater understanding of the social context and a stronger understanding of the character’s emotions. “I will play with more understanding of the situation and less control over the character’s emotions,” he said.
The conversation deepened as Shah pointed out the film’s continuing social relevance. He lamented the persistence of the caste system, a social evil in India that continues to oppress millions of downtrodden citizens. He said, “Unfortunately, the scourge of the caste system still persists and affects millions of privileged citizens of our country. It’s sad that people are still clinging to it. It’s not easy to remove the evil of the caste system from people’s minds. I hope he makes a statement. I think he made a statement about it. He made a statement about the unity of the oppressed.”
