The Prometheus of Indian Cinema

Shyam Benegal not only created history with his direction but also how he produced his landmark feature Manthan on Gujarat's dairy cooperatives

- SORIT GUPTO

1976 was a turning point for India, especially for Hindi cinema. That year saw the release of iconic blockbusters, like Laila-Majnu, based on a medieval love story, and Nagin, based on pure superstition. Other so-called "formula films", like Heraferi, Kalicharan and Kabhi Kabhi also hit the theatres.

In the same year, Hindi-speaking audiences were introduced to "offbeat" films like Chitchor and Chhoti Si Baat, where the protagonists and the storyline were directly associated with the common person (read urban Indian middle class). One may call 1976 the era of churning, or the manthan, in the Hindi film industry.