Romi Meitei, Ratan honoured at New Delhi event
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, October 17 2023: Amid turbulent times besetting Manipur, two critical filmmakers from the state, namely Mayanglangbam Romi Meitei and Saikhom Ratan bagged awards at the 69th edition of National Film Awards, New Delhi which was held on Tuesday.

Besides the two, acclaimed filmmaker Borun Thokcom, also from Manipur, attended the glittering awards ceremony as a proud spectator as he was among the few film personalities of the nation who were jury members for the non-feature film category.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards to the outstanding filmmakers and cast and crews at the ceremony attended by a constellation of great Indian movie stars and promoters.

Romi received the award for his iconic feature film "Eikhoigi Yum" (Our house), while Ratan went home with the award for his flick, "Beyond Blast".

Romi was honoured with the best Manipuri feature film category, while Ratan bagged the best biographical non-feature film award.

Before making a debut with parallel cinema with "Eikhoigi Yum", Romi was a successful mainstream commercial filmmaker as he made over 100 such movies most of which were box office hits.

Minutes after bagging his first ever National film award, Romi said that Tuesday's event was great and memorable event, but the current crisis gripping the state has dampened his celebratory moods.

"I am very happy with the recognition given to "Eikhoigi Yum" which is my first non-commercial project.

However, as much as I wished, I am unable to enjoy the moment considering the conflict going on in Manipur," Romi quipped.

"I must thank Manipur State Film Development Society (MFSDS) for the inspiration it has provided me with the year long events it organised to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Manipuri Cinema (1972-2022) .

In fact, "Eikhoigi Yum" had the privilege of opening one of the highlights of the celebration, the first 'Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival' (EIIFF)," he said.

Ratan continued that Tuesday's awards ceremony "is the pinnacle of my filmmaking journey which start -ed in 1992.I am overwhelmed by this honour.

But sadly, the situation back home prevents me to indulge".

Jury member Borun, who is himself a national awardee filmmaker and officiated as jury member for the national honours for the first time, said: "We had to view more than 200 short and documentary films in multi-languages.

However, at the end of the day, beauty has no language barriers and language of cinema presided, and films made with passion and with the right intent stood out as always.

I feel happy that Manipuri filmmakers did well in both categories, feature and non-feature" .

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