Apaibi Leichil - Issue of transgender in a Manipuri film

Rajamani Ayekpam *

A scene from Apaibi Leichil :: Pix - TSE

Manipuri films have been centered on family drama and cultural ethos so long but hardly dealt with social taboos. Even, people of this land locked State considered to bring the issue of social taboos in the sphere of entertainment platform are so rare and an outcast one.

So, film makers of this State hardly attempt making of any films based on social taboos. On the other hand, cine goers of this State also have no experienced of witnessing hard reality of human life.

Issue of transgender is becoming a global phenomenon. In fact, transgender is sub clan of gay community and is globally a social phenomenon. It however remains a social taboo in Manipuri society. Many big events like festivals, fashion shows and competitions are being organized at all over the world.

Beauty contests are being organized at National and international levels specially for transgender. A large number of contestants are attracted to these beauty contests. Much sponsorship are also coming up for these events, festivals and contests.

According to experts (genetic scientists), manifestation of transgender or gay in any person is not person's fault but is genetically programmed. Now-a-days, the issue of transgender is considered as a social issue not as a taboo.

That's why the Supreme of Court of India declared transgender as the third gender. In election time, they get special status as the third gender. A good number of big associations or transgender communities are also coming up.

One interesting thing is that the place of these nupi manbi or transgender get special place in Manipuri performing art forms popularly known as Shumang Leela.

Even though they are considered a social taboo they get a special status in Shumang Leela. Shumang Leela is the most popular art form of Manipur. Without these nupi manbi or transgender Shumang Leela may not be such a popular art form as it exists today. A good looking nupi manbi or transgender is very much necessary for a Leela group to be sought after by the audience.

The writer of this article was recently involved in producing a film on transgender. One of my short stories entitled Nungshibagi Mashak was included in my published short story book entitled 'Nungshitombi' and it was made into a film named 'Apaiba Leichil' (Flurry Cloud).

The fil is produced by Third Eye Production. The story of this film focused on the relation between the romantic life of transgender and Shumang Leela. Though, there is high demand of good looking Nupi shabi or transgender in Shumang Leela their personal life is full of tragedy. Fees of good looking nupi shabi or transgender artiste is much higher than a popular female actor of Manipuri film.

Bobby Wahengbam takes assumes important responsibility of both director as well as screenplay. He wrote the screenplay of this film with Dr Manorama Meinam.

On the credit lines –
Wahengbam Tomba, Hanjabam Shobhanand (Bung),
Bobby Wahengbam and partly Manipur Starts up (producers),
B Gokulchandra Sharma, Jitenkumar Naorem and Kokobi (music director),
Takhellambam Asha (lyricist) Irom Maipak, Bobo, Devdharshan,
Tomal (cinematographer), RK Lalmani (editing, sound & DI),
Jenny Khurai, Awangbi & Paya (make-up),
Oja Lata Thounaojam (choreography),
Rungmansam & Sanjay Lamthaba (music composer), W Tomba (dialogue),
Borun, Leishemba, Bhupen (associate cinematographer),
Bandheshwori (associate director),
Jenny Khurai (associate director) & Aribam Ekeshwori Devi (associate producer and researcher).

The important casts are---Bishesh, Arun, Naoba & Nirmala etc.

Apaiba Leichil (Flurry Cloud) won three prizes in the 14th Manipur State Film Award-2022 i.e. Bishesh got Best Actor in Transgender, RK Lalmani got Best Editor and Bobby Wahengbam got Special Jury mention. Besides, Bishesh got Special Jury Award in Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards (NE)–2022 (Guwahati). The film got an opportunity of screening at some international film festivals.

The story of this film is centered on the protagonist character Thoi (Bishesh) who is a transgender by birth. An important issue of the film is that even though he/she is a successful artiste of Shumang Leela as Nupi Shabi (Transgender) his/her romantic life is full of tragedy.

Thoi started his/her career as a beautician. But, Manipuri society does not accept him/her as a third gender human being but consider as a social taboo. Love life of Thoi began with a handsome boy Bungo (Naoba). Parents of Bungo did not accept their relation.

Their romantic life went into deeper layer. Meanwhile, parents of Bumgo came to Thoi and requested him/her to distance from their son so that he could live a normal life. All of a sudden, their romantic life came to a halt.

After sometime, Thoi got some relief from their unhappy ending of love life. Then, started a new career as a Shumang Leela artiste (Nupi shabi or transgender). Leichil (Arun) a new handsome boy is bewitched by the charm and talent of Thoi (Bishesh). Strong urge from Leichil, Thoi began a new romantic life with Leichil. They had a strong bond of love. They had many happy moments of their romantic life.

This time also, lady luck did not favour Thoi. Lechil also deserted Thoi. One night Thoi came to Heritage Park at Konung (Palace) Lampak which occupies a memorable place in their love life. In that tragic night, some rogue persons came to the place and raped Thoi mercilessly without any sympathy as a sex toy. This is the story of Apaiba Leichil.

The film analyzes the status of transgender in Manipuri society particularly in Meitei society. There was a word 'Pheida' in ancient Manipuri society which dealt with the identity of transgender. You can't discard transgender from the society since they are part of the society. They are beautiful gifts of God.

The overall performance of the film was good. Bishesh as an experienced artiste of Shumang Leela and he/she acted beautifully in the role of protagonist Thoi. So, he/she deserved to won best actor in transgender.

The performance of Naoba (Bung) and Arun (Leichil) are also worth mentioning. RK Lalmani is also one important factor for this film to become a good one. The coinage of this film as Apaiba Leichil (Flurry Cloud) by Bobby Wahengbam is also a philosophical one.

The film Apaiba Leichil is one of the boldest films in the history of Manipuri Cinema.