The Cinema of Manipur is the film industry based in Manipur, India. It includes not only Meitei language movies but all the films made in different languages of the different communities in Manipur. The Manipuri film industry was born when Matamgi Manipur by Debkumar Bose was released on 9 April 1972. From Aribam Syam Sharma's Paokhum Ama, the first colour Manipuri film (1983), M.A Singh's Langlen Thadoi, the first full-length colour Manipuri film (1984) to Oken Amakcham's Lammei, the first Manipuri digital film (2002), Manipuri cinema, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has grown in both its form and culture.
Meitan Araba is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by Lukanand Kshetrimayum and written by Sen Sagolsem. The film features Brahmacharimayum Dishiraj and Avi Khundrakpam in the lead roles. The film was certified in 2018 and released on 6 January 2019 at MSFDS, Palace Compound, Imphal. The film earned 11 nominations at the 8th SSS MANIFA 2019, winning 7 awards including the Best Feature Film Award.
Eikhoishibu Kanano is a 2020 Manipuri film directed by Ajit Yumnam and produced by Brojen Yumnam. It is a movie on Indo-Myanmar border dispute. The film was premiered at the Jaipur International Film Festival 2020. It was also selected for the 8th Delhi International Film Festival 2020 and the India International Film Festival 2020, Pune. Eikhoishibu Kanano won the Best Film at 10th Dada Shaheb Phalke Film Award 2020 and also Best Film - Debut and two other awards at 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. It also won nine awards, including Best Film and Best Director at the 9th MANIFA 2020. It got official selection at the 8th Indian Cine Film Festival, 2020.
Kshetrimayum Rashi is an Indian actress from Imphal, Manipur, who worked in theatre and Manipuri films. She was introduced into the world of theatre by her mother Rasamani Devi. She is best known for her role in the movie Imagi Ningthem, which also received wide international acclaim. Rashi has featured in over 150 radio plays. She was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. She is also the recipient of the Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching Neta Irawat Leelaroi Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Aronba Wari is a 2020 Manipuri film directed by OC Meira and produced by Rajkumari Nalini Devi, under the banner of Seuti Films. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam, Suraj Ngashepam, Bala Hijam and Sushmita Mangsatabam in the lead roles. The movie is based on Sarungbam Binodini Devi's novel Minoktugi Marumda. It was initially slated to be released on 21 March 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was premiered on 11 October 2020 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal.
Bobby Wahengbam is an Indian filmmaker, producer, writer and film critic known for his works in Manipuri films. He is the recipient of several accolades, including two National Film Awards. As a film critic, he contributed regularly for local and national newspapers for the last two decades, where some of his writings have been translated into other languages as well. Now, he regularly writes as a cinema critic for The People's Chronicle, a local English daily, every Sunday.
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.
Eewai is a 2022 non-feature Manipuri film directed by Khwairakpam Bishwamittra. It is produced by Samir Thingbaijam under the banner of Nongdol Mamikol. The film stars Leishangthem Tonthoi in the lead role. It was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal on 26 June 2022. The film got official selections at the 4th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2022, Druk International Film Festival 2022 (Bhutan), Festivus Film Fest Canada 2022, Dadashaheb Phalke International Film Festival India 2023 and Gangtok International Film Festival 2022.
Khwairakpam Bishwamittra is an Indian film director, actor and script writer who works in theatre and Manipuri films. He first appeared on silver screen in the 1996 hit film Kanaga Hinghouni, where he co-directed with Chan Heisnam. Some of the famous films he directed include Kaorage, Torei and Sur Da Ngaojabee. He is also a renowned playwright of Manipuri Shumang Leelas and stage plays produced by AIR Imphal and Doordarshan DDK Imphal. As of 2022, his non-feature Eewai got official selection at the 4th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2022. Eewai was screened at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival in Short and Documentary Panorama section on 19 and 21 December 2022 at Nandan-III and Sichir Mancha, Kolkata.
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 Corporation (MSFDS) 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 Corporation (MSFDS) on 12 July 2024. It was also screened for a week from 24 August 2024 at Kumecs Cinema, Kakwa.
Iron Women of Manipur is a 2022 non-feature Manipuri documentary film directed by Haobam Paban Kumar. It is produced by Films Division of India and narrated by Ratneshwari Goswami. The film won four awards at the 15th Manipur State Film Awards 2023.
Samadon is a 2022 Manipuri film written by Herojit Naoroibam and directed by Inaocha Khundrakpam. It stars Daya Kshetrimayum, Danube Kangjam and Ratana Kshetrimayum in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 5 November 2022.
Tharoi Ahambei Mahao is a 2022 Manipuri film written and produced by Ranjit Ningthouja and directed by Khoibam Homeshwori, under the banner of Home Films Manipur. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 30 April 2022. It is based on the Shumang Kumhei of the same title.
Khullaksha is a 2022 Manipuri film written and directed by Satyajit BK and produced by Barun Elangbam under the banner of Pibarel Films. It stars Bobo Ningthoukhongjam, Ballondy Yumnam, Melory Wahengbam and Laitomsha in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 4 June 2022.
Denny Likmabam is an Indian actor from Manipur. His films include Phairenthagi Angaoba Leichil, Kaorage, Khuji, Nungshi Hekta Hairage, Hi Sweety Hello Preety and Hiyai.
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.
Ithoi Oinam is an Indian film actress who appears in Manipuri films. She started her film acting career as a child artist right from her school days. Oinam Sanou, a celebrated filmmaker, was the man who groomed his daughter Ithoi to the film industry. Ithoi is best known for her role in films like Amukta Ani, Eikhoi Pabunggi, Nungshi Feijei and Tharoi Ahambei Mahao. As of 2023, she won the Best Actor in a Leading Role - Female Award at the 15th Manipur State Film Awards.
