Surja Bala Hijam, better known as Bala Hijam is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is known for her lead roles in movies like Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Sanagi Tangbal, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi and Wakchingi Len.
Amukta Ani is a 2014 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by Jenny Khurai. It stars Bala Hijam, Roshan Pheiroijam and Sushmita Mangsatabam in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Laishram Santosh and Thoi, and screenplay by Romi Meitei and Laishram Santosh.
Romi Meitei is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Manipuri films. He is a recipient of several awards at film festivals organized in India and abroad, including a National Film Award.
Pandam Amada is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by O. Gautam and produced by Sarokons. It stars Bonney Takhelmayum and Archana Konsam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at MSFDS on 8 September 2019. It was world premiered at the 18th International Dhaka Film Festival held at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 11 to 19 January 2020. Pandam Amada was selected among 15 films screened in the Children's Film Section of the festival.
Inamma is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by Khoibam Homeshwori and produced by Takhellambam Chandrakumar, under the banner of Home Films. The movie stars Bala Hijam in the title role. The other leading actors in the movie are Gokul Athokpam, Gurumayum Bonny, Devita Urikhinbam, Silheiba Ningthoujam and Biju Ningombam. It was premiered at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal on 14 September 2019.
Ichadi Manini is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by Geet Yumnam and produced by Ningthoujam Malakumari. It stars Amar Mayanglambam and Bala Hijam in the lead roles. The movie won two awards at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. The film was released at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Palace Compound, Imphal on 28 July 2019.
Chinglen Thiyam was an actor, comedian, lyricist and director of Shumang Kumhei theatre in Manipur. He had acted in over 100 plays and directed around 20 plays. Thiyam had also acted in many Manipuri films. He was popularly known as Commando Chinglen from the Shumang Leela Thawaina Punshigidamak. Not only in digital films, but he had also acted in Manipuri celluloid movies. He was conferred with the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Award in 2020 for his profound contribution in Shumang Leela. Wari Loidri, Khomlang Laman, Thawaina Punshigidamak, Sanagi Nga, Keishamthong Thoibi were some of the famous plays where he acted.
Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai is a 2021 Manipuri film directed by Khoibam Homeshwori and produced by Chingsubam Khumanleima for Luwang Films. It stars Gokul Athokpam, Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam, Soma Laishram and Luwangthoibi Chanu. The movie was released on 7 November 2021 at Manipur State Film Development Society in the Palace Compound, Imphal, with MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba attending as the chief guest. It was also screened at the Sangai Film Festival 2022, which was organised as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival.
Bangladeshki Sana Tampha is a 2020 multi-starrer Manipuri film directed by OC Meira and produced by Rakesh Naorem and Ibungohal Shyamal, under the banner of Ipak Films. Portraying the lifestyle of Meiteis in Bangladesh, the film stars Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam, Bala Tensubam, Narmada Sougaijam, Gepelina Mayanglambam and Ashok Seleibam in the lead roles. The movie was released at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) on 25 January 2020.
Eikhoigi Yum is a 2022 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei. It is jointly produced by Sheetal Chingsu and Romi Meitei under the banner of Thangarakpa Living Frames. The film got official selection at the 22nd Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2022. It was the opening film at the 1st Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2022. The film was certified by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2021. The film won the National Film Award For Best Film In Meiteilon at the 69th National Film Awards.
Larei Lathup is a 2021 Manipuri film written and directed by Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) on 13 November 2021. It was the opening film (fiction) at the Festival of Cinemas of Manipur 2022, a 15-day long multi-lingual film festival organised by MSFDS in April 2022.
The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba, a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi.
Oneness is a 2024 Manipuri movie directed by Priyakanta Laishram. It is the first gay-themed movie of Manipur, Northeast India. It is the first mainstream Manipuri movie to deal with same-sex relationships and sexual identity. The film stars Maya Choudhury, Priyakanta Laishram, Suraj Ngashepam and Sachinker Sagolsem in the lead roles. It was produced by Roushil Singla and Priyakanta Laishram under the banner Priyakanta Productions.
Meitei cinema, also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language, widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" and "Hollywood". Since its inception, Meitei cinema has played a significant role in the Meitei linguistic purism movement, often emphasizing proper Meitei language in place of pidgin dialects.
Akangba Nachom is a 2022 Manipuri film written by Binoranjan Oinam and directed by Inaocha Khundrakpam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Artina Thoudam in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal on 23 October 2022.
Eigi Nupi Tamnalai is a 2024 Manipuri film written and directed by Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam, Gepelina Mayanglambam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal on 12 July 2024. It was also theatrically released on 24 August 2024 at Kumecs Cinema, Kakwa.
Basantagee Nongallamdai is a 2006 Manipuri film directed by Tej Kshetri and produced by Kshetrimayum Muhindro, under the banner of TV 10 and presented by Salam Dwijamani. It stars Kaiku Rajkumar and Maya Choudhury in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal in 2006. The movie was later released at Shankar Talkies, Lamphel and screened in the theatre for more than 50 days. Its second and third installments, respectively titled as Ujaningba Saktam and Achumba Paokhum were released in 2007 and 2009.
Nungshi Keithel is a 2021 Manipuri film directed by Mangal Chabungbam and produced by Sunil Thokchom under the banner of Ngangkhaleima Pictures. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Biju Ningombam in the lead roles. The movie was released at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound on 26 December 2021. The film is an adaptation of Ranjit Ningthouja's famous Shumang leela Maogi Ebai. It was also screened at the Sangai Film Festival 2022, which was organised as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival.
Nungshi Lottery Phaorehe is a 2022 romantic comedy Manipuri film directed by O. Gautam and produced by Sunin Angomcha under the banner of Mashu Maben Films. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam, Dolly Gurumayum and Kripalaxmi Gurumayum in the lead roles. The movie was theatrically released at Friends Talkies, Paona Bazar in October 2022. It was also screened on the opening day of the Sangai Film Festival 2022, which was organised as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival. The film was certified by CBFC in 2021, but was released in 2022.
Silheiba Ningthoujam is an Indian actor who appears in Manipuri films. He has won a number of accolades, including a Manipur State Film Award. His main mentor in acting and cinema is his eldest brother and celebrated filmmaker, Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. He started portraying lead roles in movies, starting with the 2014 film Leikai Lallumba. His famous movies include Korounganba series, Leikai Lallumba, Wakchingi Len, Ei Actor Natte and Larei Lathup.
