Imphal, July 02: Film maker of international repute and one of the most renowned film makers from the Northeast Aribam Syam Sharma has unequivocally stated, �If the Government of India fail to consider people�s demand, I will not take part in any film festival etc, organized by the Government of India.� Expressing strong opposition against the decision of the Union Government to extend the Centre-NSCN (IM) ceasefire without territorial limits, the renowned film maker in a statement said, �The decision of the Central Government without fully understanding the 2000 years old history of Manipur will have serious repercussion.

It is needless to say but I would like to emphasize that the contribution of Manipur to India in the field of arts, culture, literature, theatre, films and sports is second to none.� Syam Sharma demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision to extend the ceasefire to Manipur and take steps in Parliament to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

He also condoled the death of the 14 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the June 18 uprising.

A well known name in the world of cinema, Syam Sharma has won kudos and every conceivable award worth its name.

Sharma took the Indian film world by storm when he became the first Indian to win the Grand Prix at Nantes, France in 1982 for his well crafted and sensitively portrayed Imagi Ningthem more recognition was to follow suit and in the London Film Festival, 1985-86, Sangai-The Dancing Deer walked away with the outstanding film of the year award.

The same film bagged five awards at the International Wildlife Film Festival at Montana, USA in 1988-89.In 1991 the sensitively treated, Eshanou was the only India film entry at the Cannes Film Festival and won rave reviews.

Till date he has directed 9 feature films and 17 documentaries.

He is the Ex-Chairman of the Jury of Indian Film Panorama for the Indian International Film Festival, 1997, Ex Governing Council Member of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Ex Governing Council Member of the Satyajit Ray Film Institute, Calcutta etc.

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