Rajkumar Kaiku is an Indian actor, who has appeared in Manipuri films. Kaiku made his film debut with the 2003 romantic film Kalpana. He has appeared in more than 400 Manipuri films. Some of his films are Ta-Tomba the Great, Nungshit Mapi, and Mami. In addition to films, he has also worked in Shumang Kumhei including Border.
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 was released on 9 April 1972. Before this, there were many attempts to make a film in the state, the most significant being Mainu Pemcha in 1948 which was left incomplete due to various problems.
Matamgi Manipur is a 1972 Indian Meitei language film and the first full-length cinema of Manipur. The movie is directed by Debkumar Bose and produced by Karam Monomohan, under the banner of K.T. Films Private Limited. The black and white film features Gurumayum Ravindra Sharma and Yengkhom Roma in the lead roles. Arambam Samarendra wrote the story and screenplay by Debkumar Bose. The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards. It is an adaptation of Arambam Samarendra's theatrical play Tīrtha Yātrā.
Gurumayum Bonny Sharma is an Indian actor and singer who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. He is famous for movies 'Yaiskul Pakhang Angaoba', 'Beragee Bomb', 'Mr Khadang'. 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.
Imagi Ningthem is a 1981 Indian Meitei language film directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and written by M. K. Binodini Devi. It won the Golden Montgolfiere at the Festival des 3 Continents, Nantes in 1982. The film was also screened at many International Film Festivals, which include Denver International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, Montreal International Film Festival and International Film Festival of India. It won two awards at the 29th National Film Awards.
Romi Meitei is an Indian film director and lyricist who works in Manipuri films. He is a recipient of several awards at several film festivals organised in India and abroad and has directed movies for around two decades. Thoiba Thoibi, Inga Nonglakta, Manithoiba, Natephamda Tero, Chumthang Makhong, Mikithi and Dharmagi Mingda Imagidamak are some of the well-known movies he directed.
Pandam Amada is a 2019 Indian Meitei language 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.
Lammei is a 2002 Indian Meitei language film directed by Oken Amakcham and produced by Premjit Naoroibam and Anita Naoroibam, under the banner of Kangla Films. Denny Likmabam and Prameshwori played lead roles in the movie. The movie was made after conducting the Winter Film Workshop by Kangla Films at Hotel Excellency, Imphal. It was released formally by the titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba on 5 May 2002 and started its regular theatrical run at Friends Talkies, Paona Bazar on 22 May 2002. It is the first Manipuri video film to have a commercial screening at a theatre. Lammei also marked the beginning of a digital era in Manipuri cinema.
Sanabi is a 1995 Indian Meitei language film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The movie stars Haorongbam Deben and R.K. Sushila in the lead roles. It is jointly produced by Doordarshan and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 43rd National Film Awards. Sanabi got selection at the International Film Festival of India, 1996 and Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt, 1996.
Saaphabee is a 1976 Indian Meitei language film written by Sarangthem Bormani, produced by G. Narayan Sharma and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The film features Kangabam Tomba and Ngangom (O) Subadani in the lead roles. It was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 13 July 1976. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 24th National Film Awards. It is based on the famous Manipuri folk play Haorang Leishang Saaphabee. It is the first Manipuri folk film.
Oinam Gautam Singh is an Indian film director and editor who works in Manipuri films. He started his career in Manipuri cinema as an editor and later took up direction since more than a decade. One of the successful filmmakers in Manipuri Cinema, he is the recipient of many awards, including a National Film Award for his 2011 movie Phijigee Mani. Gautam has worked under eminent film personalities like Aribam Syam Sharma and Oken Amakcham. He had been a Jury Member of Indian Panorama for 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014.
Manda Leima is an actress who appears in Manipuri films. She is best known for her role of Leihao in the 2002 movie Lallasi Pal. Angangba Kurao Mapal, Ingengi Atiya, Thengmankhre Thabalse, Inga Nonglakta, Kaboklei and Lanphamda Ibeni are some of her famous films.
Chumthang Makhong is a 2008 Indian Meitei language film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by R.K. Chandrabal under the banner of Diana Films. It stars Hamom Sadananda, Jolly Irungbam, Abenao Elangbam and Thingom Pritam in the lead roles. The film was theatrically released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar and many other cinema halls of Manipur in 2009 and performed well at the box office.
Bangladeshki Sana Tampha is a 2020 multi-starrer Indian Meitei language 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.
Brojendragee Luhongba is a 1973 black and white Indian Meitei language film produced and directed by S.N. Chand, the first filmmaker of Manipur. It stars S.N. Chand and Y. Ramola Devi in lead roles. It is based on Lamabam Kamal's short story of the same title. S.N. Chand underwent cosmetic surgery for the film. Principal photography began in 1971 and the film got CBFC certification on 30 December 1972. The movie was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 26 January 1973. The digitalised version (4K) of the film was screened at MSFDS, Imphal on 29 April 2022 as a part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema.
Langlen Thadoi is a 1984 Indian Meitei language film directed by M.A. Singh and produced by Khaidem Sakhi Devi for Kay Pee Films International. It is the first Manipuri full-length colour film and also the first Manipuri film to be produced by a woman. W. Chandrasakhi and Sagolsem Tijendra are the playback singers of the songs in the film.
Phouoibi (Fouoibi) or Phouoipi (Fouoipi) or Phouleima (Fouleima) or Phoureima (Foureima) is the goddess and the female personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). She is the lover of Akongjamba, a hero in ancient legends. But fate doesn't permit the lovers to unite. So, Phouoibi and Akongjamba reincarnated in the legends. She was sent by Thangching (Thangjing) to Kege Moirang (Keke Moilang) kingdom to prosper the human world. The legends of her love with Akongjamba were believed to be enacted by Thangching (Thangjing) as a part of the Epic cycles of incarnations (Moirang Saiyon) of the Moirang Kangleirol legends.
Akongjamba was a nobleman of a King in Ancient Moirang in Meitei mythology and folklore. He was a lover of the harvest Goddess Phouoibi, but fate didn't permit the lovers to unite, so they reincarnated. The lives of the two legendary lovers were believed to be enacted by Thangjing as a part of the Epic cycles of incarnations.
Keibu Keioiba, also known as Kabui Keioiba, is a 2009 Meitei language Indian Manipuri animation feature film, directed by Bhumenjoy Konsam. It is the first Manipuri animation film, based on the Meitei folklore. It was screened in the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in 2010, under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
