He was born on 7 November 1998 in the Imphal East district of Manipur. His father Harendra Laishram is a Manipur Police Officer and his mother Jibanlata Laishram was an actress. His elder sister Caroline Laishram is a fashion designer.[1]
Priyakanta Laishram started making short films when he was 9 years old by using a mobile phone, Nokia N70. At the age of 11, his first full length children's film, Lammuknarure was released in 2009.[4]
Laishram in 2007, at the age of 9 shooting his short film on Nokia N70.
2015–present: Socially relevant and unconventional films.
Laishram stated the following in an interview with Scroll.in on his transition from making films for children on mobile phones to social issue-based films:
"My film-making journey so far has had two phases. I was nine-years-old when I began making films with a Nokia N70 mobile phone. When I made those films, I was a child. Therefore, they had a stronger kid vibe. The second phase began after my senior secondary education. Sexual identity crisis, sexual harassment/abuse, mom’s ALS diagnosis and her death, living by myself in Chandigarh and Mumbai, exploring my sexuality, coming out, and dad's remarriage – many such life-altering events occurred between the first and second phases of my film-making journey, and I also discovered who I was.'[2]
In 2015, he wrote, edited, and directed the film It's Not My Choice, which stars Bishesh Huirem, the first Indian to represent India in Miss International Queen 2016, and depicts the story of a young transgender person named Sanathoi who is deprived of her basic rights.[8] For the movie, Laishram was featured in Gaylaxy Magazine.[9]The film received critical acclaim upon its premiere, with critics applauding Laishram's direction and writing in particular. The Sangai Express wrote, "Priyakanta Laishram's ability to maintain a straightforward and concise screenplay and dialogue without becoming didactic in conveying his intended message is truly praiseworthy. It is undeniable that he excels in his writing and directorial skills, as evidenced by his remarkable work in this film," [10] while E-Pao cited the film as "One of the most impactful films on transgender visibility".[11] Laishram won Best Film On Social Cause at the Highland Independent Film Festival 2015, Best Story and Best Filmmaker For A Cause at the Jalandhar Short Film Festival 2015. [12] The film was the first Indian short film to be adapted into Thai language, and the first Northeast Indian short film to get over a million views on YouTube. [13]
I am Special, a documentary-fiction movie he directed, was released in 2017. The true narrative of six differently-abled persons served as the basis for the film.[3]
His next movie was The Foul Truth in 2019. The film was about a boy who is a survivor of male rape and child sexual abuse.[19] The film was also known for being the first film from Northeast India to accentuate the hidden truth about male rape. Laishram played the role of a sexual assault survivor in the movie, which earned him critical acclaim for his performance.[20] The film received rave reviews for its theme, direction, dialogue and performances.[19] For his portrayal as a sexual assault survivor, Laishram won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Symbiosis Allied Media Awards 2019, the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Short Motion Pictures National Wave Festival 2018,[21]Best Actor in a Leading Role at the World Freedom Film Festival 2018, and Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama at the Jalandhar National Short Film Festival 2019, while he also won Best Film on Other Social Issues at the St. Leuven International Short Film Festival 2019, Unconventional Film Award at Human Rights Asian Film Festival 2019, Best Screenplay at the Short Motion Pictures Wave National Festival 2019, Best Sound Design at the World Freedom Film Festival 2018 as a director, producer, writer and sound designer. The film was screened at 33 international film festivals.[22] Praising Laishram's performance, The Sangai Express wrote, "He gives a solid performance as the sexual assault survivor 'Thoithoiba' and brilliantly brings out the nuances to deliver a compelling act. He succeeds in spreading his stamp all over the film".[23]
In 2020, his talk-show Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram was released on his YouTube channel, that raises various social issues including those pertaining to gender and LGBTQ.[4]
In 2021, his film Spaced Out – Panthung Di Kadaaida based on the topic of teen drug abuse was released and acclaimed by the critics.[24]
His 2024 debut feature film Oneness is the first gay-themed movie of Manipur.[6] The movie is based on a tragic true story of a Manipuri gay youth. Alongside Priyakanta, the film stars Maya Choudhury, Suraj Ngashepam and Sachinker Sagolsem in the lead roles.[20] The lead actors, Priyakanta and Suraj, are referred to as Manipur's first on-screen gay couple due to their being the first Manipuri actors to portray gay roles.[25] The movie has climbed IMDb's top 3 Manipuri film lists before its official release.[26] The film made its world premiere at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, South Asia's largest queer film festival,[27] in Mumbai on May 17, 2024, at Cinepolis. [28]Elle (India) listed the film as one of the top eight,[29] while Mid-Day named it one among the 10 films to watch at KASHISH 2024.[30]
Laishram cited the following when discussing how his entire filmography has shown how he has grown up:
"All my films have witnessed how I have grown up. They have given me the voice I never had, the voice suppressed by the general public and the mainstream media, and they helped me to understand others and myself better. The responsibility I feel as a filmmaker today makes me more and more aware of the issues of society, who I am as a person, and what I need to do as a filmmaker."[2]
Public and off-screen image
The Frontier Manipur describes Priyakanta Laishram as "A Hidden Gem Of Manipuri Cinema", who breaks several barriers with his mere perspective and changing the narrative with his thought-provoking scripts.[6] He is cited as the "Torchbearer Of Manipur Queer Cinema" by Northeast Now, who also calls him a rare creature who has mastered the art of using the cinematic medium to expose societal wrongdoings and malpractices in an industry replete with old school directors.[3]
In addition to his work in film-making, Laishram is known for speaking up for a variety of causes and social issues. He made a number of statements about the situation of Manipur during the 2023 Manipur violence in an effort to restore peace and normalcy. He questioned the ignorance and apathy of the central and state governments in relation to the terrible situation in Manipur.[31] In another statement, he argued the ignorance and prejudiced views of those in authority on the horrific war, concentrating solely on the viral video of two women and ignoring other heinous crimes.[32]
Laishram said in an interview with Hindustan Times that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bollywood celebrities' two and a half months of total silence is a very long time and that it is truly very depressing to see how our culture and nation consistently wait for some terrible events to happen before taking a stand for something, even if it means endangering the lives of others. He continued, saying it's awful how the government and the mainstream film industries always ignore what happens in India's northeastern parts but continuously respond to what happens in other foreign countries.[7]
In 2016, Laishram spoke out in favour of the LGBTQ Community, pleading for an end to Section 377.[33] He also actively supports children with cancer through volunteer work.[9]
In 2023, he made a statement about same-sex unions in India, saying that the legal system needed to be set up to protect and enhance human rights and promote marriage equality. He stated that the lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriage denies social benefits and increases prejudice and violence.[2]
Regarding the ban on Manipuri actress Soma Laishram, he denounced organisations and civic bodies in Manipur for their continued practice of banning and cancelling actors for trivial reasons.[34] He talked on how the general populace in Manipur views artists as inferior and treats them poorly.[35]
Laishram represented Manipur at the Rainbow Lit Fest 2023 in New Delhi.[36][37]
Aribam Syam Sharma is an Indian filmmaker and composer from Manipur. He debuted in the first Manipuri film Matamgi Manipur as an actor. In 1974, he directed his first movie Lamja Parshuram. It became the first Manipuri film to run for 100 days in the box office. His 1979 film Olangthagee Wangmadasoo was the first ever and the only Manipuri film to run for 32 weeks. It also broke the local box office records of Sholay.
Surja Bala Hijam, better known as Bala Hijam is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is best known for her lead role in Malayalam road film, titled Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi .
Soma Laishram is an Indian actress and singer who appears in Manipuri films. She is a native of Imphal, Manipur. Nurei, Hoo Chaage, Loibataare Ta Raju, and Chanu IPS are some of her famous movies. In September 2021, Laishram joined the Republican Party of India - Athawale (RPI-A) and assumed the post of state unit president of its youth girls’ wing.
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), Oken Amakcham's Lammei, the first Manipuri digital film (2002), to Priyakanta Laishram's Oneness (film), the first Manipuri gay-themed film (2023), Manipuri cinema, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has grown in both its form and culture.
Hamom Sadananda is an Indian actor and singer who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. He is a resident of Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai, Imphal, Manipur. He has acted in more than 100 Manipuri films. Besides acting and singing in films, he also performs Manipuri Sankirtana on various Manipur occasions.
Maya Choudhury is an Indian actress who appears in Manipuri films. As of 2023, she will be seen as a protagonist in Manipur's first gay-themed movie, Oneness.
Eigi Kona is a 2019 Indian Meitei language film directed by Bobby Wahengbam and Maipaksana Haorongbam and produced by Dr. K. Sushila Leima, under the banner of Luwang Apokpa Mamikol Productions. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound in 2019. Eigi Kona was selected for Indian Panorama of the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2020. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 67th National Film Awards.
Oken Amakcham is an Indian film director, music director and actor who works in Manipuri films. He started his career in theatre and performing arts. He is a recipient of the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri for the movie Mayophygee Macha at the 42nd National Film Awards. In 2002, he directed Lammei which marked the beginning of a digital era in Manipuri cinema. He took the role of music director in many of his movies. Cheina, Tellanga Mamei, Nungshithel are some of his notable films. He had been a jury member of 58th National Film Awards.
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.
Irom Maipak was an Indian cinematographer from Imphal, Manipur. He was the founding president of the All Manipur Cinematographers Association. Maipak had worked for more than three decades in Films and Television industry. He received the prestigious National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography at the 49th National Film Awards.
Nine Hills One Valley is a 2021 Indian Manipuri-Tangkhul bilingual film conceptualized and directed by Haobam Paban Kumar. It is produced by Warepam Jhansirani and Haobam Paban Kumar for Oli Pictures. The movie was among 19 feature films selected for Film Bazaar Recommends (FBR) section of the Film Bazaar 2020. It was premiered at the 16th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2021, Indonesia.
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 for the last four years.
Eikhoigi Yum is a 2021 Indian Meitei language 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. On IMDb, Eikhoigi Yum is ranked third among the top three Manipuri films, after Ishanou and Oneness (film). The film won National Film Award For Best Film In Meiteilon at the 69th National Film Awards.
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.
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.
Oneness is a 2024 Manipuri movie directed by Priyakanta Laishram. It is the first gay-themed movie of Manipur, Northeast India and 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 is produced by Roushil Singla and Priyakanta Laishram under the banner Priyakanta Productions. The film made its world premiere at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, South Asia's largest queer film festival. Elle (India) ranked the film as one of the top eight, while Mid-Day ranked it as one of the ten films to see at KASHISH 2024. On IMDb, Oneness is ranked number two among the top three Manipuri movies.
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".
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.
It's Not My Choice is a 2015 Manipuri film written and directed by Priyakanta Laishram and produced by Harendra Laishram under the banner of Priyakanta Productions. Starring Bishesh Huirem, Ithoi Oinam, and Chakpram Idhou, the film tells the story of a young transgender Sanathoi who is deprived of her basic rights. The film was released on September 1, 2015, in Imphal at the Regional Institute Of Medical Sciences and screened at 25 film festivals. The film is the first Indian short film to be adapted in Thai and the first short film from Northeast India to surpass 1 lakh views and 1 million views on YouTube.
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