Priyakanta Laishram
Born
Priyakanta Thoi Laishram

(1998-11-07) 7 November 1998
Imphal East, Manipur, India
Alma materUniversity of Mumbai
Amity University, Noida
Occupation(s)Actor, film director, film producer, writer, film editor
Years active2009–present
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Parent(s)Harendra Laishram
Jibanlata Laishram

Priyakanta Laishram (born 7 November 1998) 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 (film). 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.

Some of his notable works are Oneness, The Foul Truth, Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram, Spaced Out – Panthung Di Kadaaida!, Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?, It's Not My Choice and I am Special.

Early life and education

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]

Following a battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his mother died in 2016. At the age of 16, he moved to Chandigarh to attend his senior secondary school. He then switched to Mumbai to pursue his bachelor's degree.[2]

At Mumbai University, Laishram earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media with a concentration in Advertising. He also holds an honours degree in Sociology from Chandigarh's Panjab University. He is presently enrolled in Amity University, Noida to pursue a Master's in Journalism and Mass communication.[3]

Career

2007–2011: Mobile phone filmmaking.

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]

Later that year, he directed two more children's films, Achumbadi Amarni, shot on Nokia N70 and Chan-Thoibi shot on Sony Cyber-shot camera. He received recognition as Manipur's Rising Star by Asian News International, The Youngest Filmmaker 2009 by Nokia, and Youth Icon 2009 by Mongba Hanba Magazine.[3][5]

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]

Since the second stage of his career as a filmmaker, Laishram has gained recognition for drawing attention to social issues that are either shameful or taboo.[6] His films are known for focusing on taboo subjects such as child abuse, male rape, LGBTQ issues, gender neutrality, and drug menace.[7]

Laishram in 2009, at the age of 11 receiving a Nokia award from the then IPS Officer Thokchom Radheshyam.

In 2015, he directed It's Not My Choice, a film based on transgenders, starring Bishesh Huirem, the first Indian representative at Miss International Queen 2016. For the movie, he was also featured in Gaylaxy Magazine.[8] The film was cited by the critics as "One of the most impactful films on transgender visibility".[9]

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]

Later in the year, he featured in the Kangana Ranaut starrer The Bollywood Diva, a music video produced by All India Bakchod and directed by Tanmay Bhat.[10]

His 2018 movie Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? was the first Indian film to deal with gender neutral fashion and men's make-up,[11] for which he won Best Multimedia Influencer Award at the Lifestyle Young Influencer Awards 2018 in Mumbai.[12] The film was premiered at St. Regis, Mumbai in 2018.[13] Apart from boys and men who wear make-up and gender neutral clothes in real life, Inder Bajwa (Former Top Model), Thounaojam Strela Luwang, Bala Hijam, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Peden Ongmu Namgyal (Miss Diva Supranational 2017) and other renowned faces were also featured in the film.[14] Upon release, the film received positive response.[15]

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.[16] 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.[17] The film received rave reviews for its theme, direction, dialogue and performances.[18] 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,[19] 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.[20] 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".[21]

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.[22]

His 2023 feature film Oneness is the first gay-themed movie of Manipur and it will be released in 2023 under his direction.[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.[17] 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.[23] The movie has climbed IMDb's top 3 Manipuri film lists before its official release.[24]

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.[25] 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.[26]

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.[27] He also actively supports children with cancer through volunteer work.[8]

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.[28] He talked on how the general populace in Manipur views artists as inferior and treats them poorly.[29]

Filmography

Year Title Note
2009 Lammuknarure A children's film shot on Nokia N70 mobile phone.
Achumbadi Amarni His second children's film shot on Nokia N70 mobile phone.
Chan-Thoibi A children's film shot on Sony Cyber-shot camera.
2015 It's Not My Choice A film on the issues of transgender.
2017 I am Special A docufiction film on differently-abled people.
2017 The Bollywood Diva A music video by All India Bakchod.
2018 Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? First Indian film on gender neutral fashion and men's make-up.
2019 The Foul Truth A film on male rape and child sexual abuse.
2021 Spaced Out – Panthung Di Kadaaida A film on teen substance abuse and its circumstances.
2023 Oneness Manipur's first film based on same-sex relationship.

Talk show

Year Title Platform
2020 Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram YouTube

Honors

Year Title
2009 The Youngest Filmmaker by Nokia CNN Mobiles.[5]
2009 Youth Icon by Mongba Hanba Magazine.[3]
2011 Manipur's Rising Star by Asian News International.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram : Manipur's First "Openly Queer" Filmmaker". Signpost News. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "'I knew I wasn't transgender but I had no idea who I was': Manipuri filmmaker Priyakanta Laishram". Scroll.in. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Priyakanta Laishram: Torchbearer of Manipur queer cinema". Northeast Now. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. 1 2 "A Manipur film tackles sexual identity for first time". The Indian Express. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Manipuri Cinema needs content improvement, says state's first gay-themed movie director Priyakanta Laishram". India Today NE. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Priyakanta Laishram: A Hidden Gem of Manipuri Cinema". The Frontier Manipur. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Priyakanta Laishram on Bollywood breaking silence on Manipur violence: Unimaginable damage has already been done". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  8. 1 2 "In Conversation with Priyakanta Laishram, A Young Manipuri Filmmaker". Gaylaxy Magazine. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  9. ↑ "It's Not My Choice (Eina Khankhiba Natte) An Impactful Manipuri Film On Transgender Visibility". 25 November 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "8 Actors From Manipur Who Featured In Malayalam, Hindi, and Assamese Movies and Series". 16 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? : A Film Way Ahead Of Its Time – Priyakanta Laishram". Borok Times. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Former top model Inder Bajwa stars in Manipur filmmaker's award winning film". Northeast Now. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Manipuri-English film promoting gender-neutral fashion to be screened in Mumbai". East Mojo. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "2018 Manipuri film Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup is no less than a revolution" (PDF). Imphal Times. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram's 'Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?' Shatters Stereotypes". Signpost News. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. ↑ "Manipuri film 'The Foul Truth' talks about hidden truth of male rape". Northeast Now. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Priyakanta Laishram "ONENESS" is all set to reveal the invisible crime of Gay Honor Killing (Manipur's first Gay themed movie)". India Today NE. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  18. ↑ "'The Foul Truth': A Wake-Up Call For The Patriarch Society". Borok Times. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  19. ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram's 'The Foul Truth' Is The Gruesome Reality Of Society". Signpost News. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "Manipuri film 'The Foul Truth' to be screened at Chiang Mai University, Thailand". Borok Times. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  21. ↑ "The Foul Truth captures and taps into the evil truth of mankind". The Sangai Express. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "SPACED OUT – Panthung Di Kadaaida : A meaningful Manipuri flick on teen drug abuse The Frontier Manipur". The Frontier Manipur. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  23. ↑ "Priyakanta and Suraj: Meet Manipur's first onscreen gay couple". EastMojo. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  24. ↑ "Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies". East Mojo. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "How much more bloodshed to bring back normalcy in Manipur?: Actor Priyakanta Laishram". East Mojo. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  26. ↑ "Filmmaker Priyakanta Laishram cries for help, asks, "Do the remaining residents of Manipur have to strip off?"". Northeast Now. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "Northeastern LGBTQ community demand freedom from Section 377 on Independence Day". The Northeast Today. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  28. ↑ "Soma Laishram is not at fault". The Hindu. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  29. ↑ "Manipuri filmmaker Priyakanta Laishram condemns ban on actress Soma Laishram". East Mojo. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
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