Prateik Babbar basked in a moment of profound pride at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where he attended the screening of his late mother Smita Patil’s timeless classic “Manthan” from 1976. Reflecting on her legacy in a recent interview with India Today, Prateik reminisced how despite lacking formal training, Smita delivered a remarkable performance in the Shyam Benegal directorial.
In a touching tribute to his late mother, Prateik expressed immense pride at “Manthan” premiering in the Cannes Classic Section, stating, “As her son, witnessing her celebrated 37 years posthumously at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival was a deeply moving experience. It not only honored her legacy but also highlighted the enduring impact of her work. Seeing her on-screen at Cannes reaffirmed her status as one of Indian cinema’s finest actors, an irreplaceable legend whose talent transcends generations.”
Reflecting on his mother’s remarkable talent, Prateik marveled at the universal admiration for her exceptional and mature performance in “Manthan,” despite being just 20 years old and untrained as an actor at the time of filming. He emphasized her innate gift for acting, stating, “She was destined to be one of the greatest actors of all time.” With humility and determination, Prateik acknowledged the immense legacy he inherits and vowed to continue striving for excellence, marking this moment as a pivotal chapter in his journey toward greatness, honoring both his mother’s legacy and his own aspirations.
The screening of “Manthan” at the Cannes Classic section during Cannes 2024 drew notable figures like Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak, adding an emotional depth to the event. Naseeruddin, reflecting on the experience in an interview with Brut India, described it as surreal, admitting he never imagined walking the iconic Cannes red carpet. He emphasized the poignancy of the moment, especially given the absence of cherished friends and colleagues like Girish Karnad, Smita Patil, and Amrish Puri, making it a deeply emotional journey down memory lane.
“Manthan” draws inspiration from the Milk Revolution spearheaded by the late Padma Vibhushan awardee, Verghese Kurien, a pioneer in India’s dairy industry. The character portrayed by the late veteran Girish Karnad in the film was crafted based on Kurien’s remarkable contributions, adding a poignant layer of historical significance to the narrative.