Manthan

My dad saw this movie when it released in theaters back in the 70's. He insisted that I watch the movie before any other. So, I saw the movie on Amul official website(you can watch it online) and was Stunned!!. It has been 35 years since this movie released but it is just timeless. Time can erode a movie technically but the emotional part if in its place remains intact. The acting is brilliant, so is the direction and technically also, it is quite good. Shyam Benegal takes you to Gujarat in the small village. You actually FEEL for the villagers and want to join them in their fight against Amrish Puri(the Milk Mafia). It is fair in length, there is never a boring moment and as the climax approaches, the tension actually gets to you. It is an emotional ride. I will watch it 10 times if they re-release it in theaters. A must watch.

I have seen this film about 15 years ago but still remember quite well, may be because I come from the region plotted in the film. The story of farmer's revolution is true and today in reality is the world's largest co-operative dairy AMUL. This film has actors, who at that time, were either newly graduated from Film Institute or had few films on their names but I think that is the charm, where the director could squeeze out the natural talent to show overwhelming expressions in the characters. In the later years most of these actors became kings of art cinema. The direction is superb; the songs and music are unique. I would recommend this film to everyone who wants "THE TASTE OF India".

An inspiring story based on the Milk Cooperative movement Amul in Gujarat. The story here about the various challenges faced in starting a cooperative. How the winning of trust, maintaining integrity and fairness, and true to purpose and values at all times are paramount. Both in winning the respect of the people, the eventual stakeholders who run the co-operative, and in being able to maintain one's sanity at the most challenging times. I'm happy also about how the movie ends in a positive note, how success and equality across caste and gender is still possible in our country

Manthan is an extraordinarily powerful and intense depiction of social change. As it has been 15 years since I've seen this film, my recollection of details may not be completely accurate; but the story tells the struggle of Indian dairy farmers to gain a fairer share of the proceeds of their labor from the larger milk-processing companies to whom they sell their raw milk. While my recollection of factual details about this movie is limited, I do recall vividly the strong emotional and artistic impact Manthan had on me. It should be noted that director Benegal also made Ankur (The Seedling) which, with a completely different story, also incarnates the painful social changes India is undergoing as it moves from a more to a less feudal social structure -- and in both movies dealing with these themes without preachiness or pronounced ideological heavyhandedness.

Review By Kamal K

This movie is quite a nice movie and can say a revolutanaoury movie of Indian village culture and Indian cinema, All actors acted nicely. Dialogue delivery and camera works were tremendous.

Grish karnad and ismita patil did great work.

This film is the real face of that era Indian village situation and how to milk society started work.