Xplained

Imagine ₹2 Making Cinematic History

When Indian Farmers Produced A Film!

In 1976, legendary director Shyam Benegal wanted to tell the story of India’s milk cooperative movement. But Dr. Verghese Kurien (the Father of the White Revolution) refused to risk the farmers’ hard-earned funds on a movie.
The solution? India’s first-ever crowdfunded film. 5 Lakh dairy farmers donated just ₹2 from their daily milk earnings, raising the ₹10 Lakh budget in less than a week to create the masterpiece, Manthan. The film was later taken to remote villages with 16mm projectors, inspiring millions to defeat exploitative middlemen and join the Amul cooperative.
Decades later, the 4K restoration of this historic film just received a massive 5-minute standing ovation at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. A proud moment for Indian cinema and the power of collective action! 🥛✨

When India played a crucial role in stopping a US-China nuclear war