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.
Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba is a 2011 Manipuri film written and directed by Homen D' Wai. It is produced by Premjit Naoroibam and Kenedy Naoroibam, and presented by Anita Naoroibam. It stars Gurumayum Bonny as the titular protagonist with Bala Hijam in the lead roles. The background score of the film was given by Surmani (Rishi). The film was released at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal on 17 December 2011 and screened in different theatres of Manipur in February 2012, including Friends Talkies, Paona Bazar. The movie garnered wide critical acclaim upon its release and was a 2012 hit film of Manipur. It was re-released at Tanthapolis Cinema, Lamphel on 13 October 2024.
Yenning Amadi Likla is a 2007 Manipuri film directed by Makhonmani Mongsaba and produced by SURVI, under the banner of Nongin Films. It stars Muru Ningthoujam, Huirem Seema, Lairenjam Olen and Reshmi Samom in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Moirangthem Inao. The film was made in 16 mm and blown up in 35 mm. It was processed at Prasad Laboratory, Chennai.
Kekoo Lotpee is a 2008 Manipuri film directed by Homen D' Wai and produced by Homen Rajkumar, under the banner of Treasure Island. It stars Lairenjam Olen, Kamala Saikhom and Ngangbi in the lead roles. Olen is spotted with a big moustache in the film.
Lakhipurgi Lakhipyari is a 2006 Manipuri film directed by L. Surjakanta and produced by Somen Moirangcha, under the banner of Ebudhou Film Creations. The film features Lairenjam Olen and Devita Urikhinbam in the lead roles. The film is based on the eponymous novel by Ashok Khurai, who died during the shooting of the film due to heart attack in 2006.
Nongphadok Lakpa Atithi is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and produced by Deepak Sarmah. It stars Ningthoujam Rina and Lairenjam Olen in the lead roles. The film was premiered at the 3rd Guwahati International Film Festival 2019 as the Opening Film of the Indian section. It is based on Lamabam Viramani's short story Atithi. It was written as a radio play by M. K. Binodini Devi under the title Nongphadok Lakpada. The adapted screenplay of the film was done by Aribam Syam Sharma. It won four awards at the 13th Manipur State Film Festival 2020.
Lairenjam Olen is an Indian actor who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. He started as a Theatre Artist and was a member of Orient Drama Union, Imphal. His famous films include Dr. Yaima, Mittrang Keithel, Khongchat series, Radha-Rani, Lallasi Pal and Mr. Lakhipyari. He played double roles of Nganthoi and Thonba in the 2004 movie Icham Chamna.
Nakenthana Ngairi is a 2006 Manipuri film written, produced and directed by Dinesh Tongbram. It is the first production of United Films Manipur. The film features Amarjeet Rajkumar, Huirem Seema, Kaiku Rajkumar and Devita Urikhinbam in the lead roles. It was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 10 September 2006.
Huirem Seema was an Indian actress from Imphal, Manipur. She had appeared in more than 100 Manipuri films. As a producer, she had four Manipuri digital films to her credit. She was best known for her roles in movies like Kanaga Hinghouni, Chang Shi Chang, Lakhipurgi Lakhipyari, Naoshum, Yumleima Lamleima and Thasi Thanou. Two films where she acted, namely Yenning Amadi Likla (feature) and Ngaihak Lambida (non-feature) made entries into the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India.
Homen D' Wai was an Indian film director, scriptwriter and lyricist from Imphal, Manipur. Dr. Yaima, Mittrang Keithel, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Dr. Hemogee Heloi and VDF Thasana were some of the famous movies he directed.
Tayai is a 2008 Manipuri film directed by K. Bimal Sharma and produced by Gokul Athokpam under the banner of Subhas and Sons'. It stars Gokul Athokpam, Kaiku Rajkumar, Lairenjam Olen, Huirem Seema, Prameshwori and Laishram Binata in the lead roles. The premiere show of the movie was held at Asha Cinema on 16 November 2008 and censored in 2009.
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.
Lallasi Pal is a 2002 Manipuri film directed by Mayanglangbam Raghumani (Eepu) and starring Lairenjam Olen and Manda Leima. The film released in Friends Talkies theatre, Imphal in 2002 and was a blockbuster.
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".
Thasi Thanou is a 2010 Manipuri film written by Dr. Jayanta and directed by Mayanglangbam Raghumani (Eepu). The film is produced by M. Loyanganbi Chanu under the banner of Eeraba Pictures. It stars Huirem Seema, Denny Likmabam, Lairenjam Olen and Leishangthem Tonthoi in the lead roles. The movie was released at Friends Talkies, Imphal in 2010. The DVDs of Thasi Thanou were released post Seema's demise in September 2011. The film won an award at the 1st Sahitya Seva Samiti MANIFA 2012.
Dr. Hemogee Heloi is a 2013 romantic comedy Manipuri film written and directed by Homen D' Wai and produced by Penu Leima. It stars Kaiku Rajkumar and Artina Thoudam in the lead roles. The movie is based on the story concept of Sanakhya Ebotombi.
Mittrang Keithel is a 2006 Manipuri film directed by Homen D' Wai and produced by Homen Rajkumar and Romeo, under the banner of Treasure Island and presented by Chaoba & Coresana. It stars Lairenjam Olen, Kamala Saikhom and Ngangbi in the lead roles. The story and screenplay of the film was written by Y. Kumarjit. The movie was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar in 2006 and was screened in the theatre for more than 50 days.
Kaorage is a 2006 Manipuri film directed by Khwairakpam Bishwamittra and produced by Ranbir Thouna, under the banner of aar creations. It stars Denny Likmabam and Binata Laishram in the lead roles. The story and screenplay of the film was written by Laimayum Dhanachandra Sharma. The movie was released at Friends Talkies, Paona Bazar in 2006.
Tellangga Mamei is a 2006 Manipuri film written by Ranjit Ningthouja and directed by Oken Amakcham. Produced by Shanti Thokchom under the banner of Dashu Films, it stars Lairenjam Olen, Sonia Hijam, Dinesh Sharma and Medha Haobijam in the lead roles. The film was released at Pratap Talkies, Paona Bazar in 2006. It got selection at the First Festival of Manipuri Cinema 2007 and was nominated for various categories, including the Best Feature Film.
