MSFDS, others mourn demise of filmmaker Chan Heisnam
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 26 2021:
Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) mourned the demise of filmmaker Chan Heisnam, who passed away on Monday.
The multi-faceted film producer, director, cinematographer, editor, actor and talent-scouter of Manipuri cinema, succumbed to Covid-19 in the early hours Monday after battling the virus for five days at Advanced Hospital, said a release by MFSDS secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum.
A resident of Keishamthong Thangjam Leirak, Chan was 58 years and left behind his wife, a daughter and son.
Sharing the grief of the bereaved family, MSFDS termed his demise as a huge loss for Manipuri cinema.
As a mark of respect and homage to the departed storyteller, candles were lit at the Manipu-ri Cinema Memorial at MSFDS complex, Palace gate by the film community.
With Chan Heisnam the film community has lost 11 of its personalities since the Covid second wave.
Executive board member of MSFDS Oken Amakcham described the demise of Chan as a big personal loss.
Having spent his formative filmmaking years with him, Oken remembered him as a sincere, artistic, humorous person who was passionate about filmmaking.
Another eminent filmmaker Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma said the film community of Manipur has lost one of its important members.
"Besides making film, he was always keen to introduce new talents in his productions.
His talent-hunt event, the Dawn series is his vision of offering platforms to new talents to enter the world of Manipuri Cinema.
Cinestars like Gokul, Tonthoi and many others were spotted through it," said Surjakanta.
The release noted the life of Chan as the person who propelled the growth of Manipuri Cinema by democratizing filmmaking practice, introducing affordable technology and know-hows.
His first video film project as a full-fledged videographer was the popular VHS video feature film, "Adungaigi Mashanagum".
Story by Moirangthem Inao and directed by Oken Amakcham, Chan videographed and produced the film which dealt with childhood love and mental health issues.
"Kwa Matap" and "Chakravyuh" are the other hugely popular video films produced by him.
Chan didn't stop at just making films but he was also involved on creating audience.
He also spearheaded in organising the 1st Video Film Festival of Manipur in 1993 under the banner of AMVIMPA (All Manipur Video Film Makers' & Producers' Association), an association he was instrumental in setting up.
Realising that the VHS format wasn't futuristic for professional filmmaking, Chan shifted to celluloid productions which were generally regarded as reserved only for a few elite groups.
With his experience in storytelling on the video format, he proved low cost celluloid film production is possible, creating an all-in-all local film crew and introducing new talents.
His first celluloid film production was the box-office hit film "Kanaga Hinghouni", co-produced by Bright Films and Moirangthem Pramodini.
The film not only did well at the box-office but also received critical acclaim at the Manipur State Film Awards, receiving the Best Film awards, besides scores of other awards.
In separate releases, All Manipur Film Makers and Producers' Association, Cine Directors' Association, Cine Artistes and Technical Association, Ipak Film Production Manipur and Nokphade Cultural Foundation conveyed deepest condolences over the sudden demise of filmmaker Chan Heisnam.
The death of Chan is a great loss not only for Manipuri cinema but also for art and culture of Manipur, they lamented, while praying for the departed soul to rest in peace.