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 and M.A. Singh's Langlen Thadoi to Oken Amakcham's Lammei and Haobam Paban Kumar's Loktak Lairembee and many others, Manipuri cinema, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has grown in both its form and culture.
Nungshi Feijei is a 2015 Manipuri film directed by Chou-En-Lai and produced by Ab Atom. The film features Gurumayum Bonny, Khaba, Mukabala Maibam, Soma Laishram, Biju Ningombam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Nanao and screenplay by Chaiba. The film is a remake of the 2013 Tollywood (Telugu) film Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde. It was released at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal, on 7 December 2015. A sequel to the film titled Nungshi Feijei 2 was released in October 2016.
Gurumayum Bonny Sharma is an Indian actor and singer who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. He is a resident of Keishamthong Maning Longjam Leikai, Imphal, Manipur. He has also worked in the Shumang Kumheis including Kunti series, Nongallamdaisida, Opium War, and Pizza.
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.
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.
Biju Ningombam is an Indian actress who appears in Manipuri films. Her first silver screen appearance was in the 2014 movie Meerang Mahum, where she played a supporting role. Starting with the 2015 film Ashileibakki Hero, she started portraying lead roles in feature films. Some of her films include Nungshi Feijei, Phishakhol, Nurei, Thabaton 3 and Ei Actor Natte.
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.
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.
Apaiba Leichil is a 2021 Manipuri film directed by Bobby Wahengbam. It is jointly produced by Wahengbam Tomba, Hanjabam Sobhananda (Bung) Sharma and Bobby Wahengbam under the banner of Third Eye Productions. The film is based on the short story Nungshibagi Saklon (Nungsitombi) by Rajmani Ayekpam. It stars Bishesh Huirem and Arun Yumnam in the lead roles. The film won three awards at the 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022. It got official selections at the 18th International Film Festival of Thrissur 2023, Kerala Kashish International Queer Film Festival 2023, Mumbai. The movie was screened at the Sangai Film Festival 2022, which was organised as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival.
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.
Bishesh Huirem is an Indian actress and model from the Meitei ethnicity of Manipur. She is best known for being the first Indian to represent India at the Miss International Queen for Transgender 2016 organised in Pattaya, Thailand. She is the first Indian transgender to be appointed as a state icon for the parliamentary polls in the Lok Sabha elections. She is the first transgender to win the "Best Actor Award" in the 14th Manipur State Film Awards, 2022. It's Not My Choice directed by Priyakanta Laishram and Apaiba Leichil directed by Bobby Wahengbam are some of her notable films.
Priyakanta Laishram is an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and film editor from the Meitei ethnicity of Imphal, Manipur who predominantly works in Manipuri films, known for his socially relevant and unconventional movies. He is the first filmmaker to make the first mainstream film of Manipur, Northeast India, dealing with same-sex relationships, Oneness. He started making children's films at the age of 9 by using a Nokia N70 mobile phone, for which he won several titles including The Youngest Filmmaker 2009 from Nokia and Manipur's Rising Star 2011 from Asian News International.
The Foul Truth is a 2019 Manipuri film written, produced and directed by Priyakanta Laishram under the production banner, Priyakanta Productions. It is the first film from Northeast India to tackle the issue of male rape. The film tells the story of a boy named Thoithoiba, who is a survivor of child sexual abuse and male rape. The film stars Priyakanta Laishram, Harry Tourangbam and Rojesh Saikhom. The film was released on 2 June 2019. The film was screened at 33 international film festivals and won several awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Film on Other Social Issues, and Best Screenplay awards.
Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? is a 2018 English-Manipuri film written, produced and directed by Priyakanta Laishram under the banner, Priyakanta Productions. It is the first Indian film to discuss the subject of men's makeup and gender-neutral fashion. The film stars Laishram, Inder Bajwa, Thounaojam Strela Luwang, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwahlia and Bala Hijam. At the Lifestyle Young Influencer Awards 2018, the film won the Best Multimedia Influencer Award. The film was premiered at St. Regis, Mumbai on 7 April 2018.
Rongdaife is a 2021 Manipuri film directed by Bobby Haobam and produced by Vincent Nameirakpam. The film is a production of VINTel Infracom Private Limited in association with Sayon Entertainment. It stars Leishangthem Tonthoi, Somen Chanam and Nunglen Luwang in the lead roles. It is based on Lekhajit Laishram's comic story Laina Pakpi. Principal photography of the movie was done in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
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.
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.
