Art has no gender and neither do Artists
- Mairembam Ronaldo Singh -

Mandakini *

Mairembam Ronaldo Singh ( A screen grab from youtube)

Art has no gender, caste, creed, religion etc. it's just a beauty of oneself and inner talent that one executes.

We strongly believe that in a film or TV series the central character is always the hero, but sometimes there's this one side character, who leaves the audience mesmerized and we cant ignore how the actor flew under-the-radar but left us spellbound. Down the line after decade if this character leaves a lasting impression on the audience, then this is called 'winning'!!

There's a lot of buzz about this actor who played a trans gender role in the web-series, Pataal Lok (a recent release on Amazon Prime Video), and I couldn't stop myself researching about her, she has done an extraordinary and tremendous work.

While watching, her accent and her face reminded me of Manipur, and a quick Google search later, I was right she is from Manipur. Her name is Mairembam Ronaldo Singh and she should be known for her talent and the struggle she has gone through.

She plays the role of ‘Cheeni’, and when asked in the web-series what type of name is this, she responds by, “This is how people address me”, which is a not so subtle dig at racism faced by North-Eastern community.

In the web-series she was abandoned at young age by his family in local train and later was trapped in crime’s snare. In ‘Patal Lok’ (represents people who inhabit the societal underground), M. Ronaldo Singh has out performed and has done justice to the specific role provided to her.

I've stayed in Manipur for almost more than half of my age and during my childhood I remember my neighbour used to take me during Yaosang Sumaang Leela(a stage play), and I have seen the actors perform there.

That aroused in me a special interest and curiosity in theatre and how actors work on their craft.

I was told that even female character played by actors in Sumaang Leela are male. I used to get thrilled by their performances.

Society has been unfair and not in just one specific part, almost everywhere to LGTBQ community and they are still not identified and respected as it should be.

The character played by Actor Ronaldo Singh not only has touched million of hearts but also have left a special message to the society. She was a strong character who has displayed and have shown a mirror to the society.

According to an interview given by the Casting Director, for the casting of Cheeni, they reached out to local theatre groups in Manipur and found this gem of an actor.

It’s the biggest win for them as a casting company till date. They believe needless to say, Ronaldo Singh has left a lasting impression with her performance and believe that it’s their pleasure to get her first screen role as an actor.

Of course, she had pressure from her family & society. The casting team went and convinced them. Casting doesn’t mean just getting an actor.

Many of the times they have to convince the actor and their inner soul too. It’s not necessarily the case that the people we reach out to always want to act in films and web series’. They have their own lives.

To a good note Ronaldo is super realistic character in real life than a reel life and I wish her all success in future endeavour.

This article is solely related to subject interest and my own personal review, as a generic Public Comment. I’m neither promoting any show to the crowd nor I’m related to the person.