Fate of Manipuri cinema hanging in balance
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 20 2024: From artists changing profession to disappearance of cinema halls, the fate of Manipuri cinema now hangs in balance.

Speaking to The Sangai Express in this regard, chairman of Film Forum Manipur (FFM) L Surjakanta said that the State film industry was booming at one point of time and Manipuri cinema alone provided a variety employment opportunities to a number of people from film production to operating cinema halls and selling tickets and food and beverage.

He said that the trend of people going to cinema halls, however, started dwindling after 2010 due to myriad factors.

Saying that Covid induced lockdown also took a toll on Manipuri cinema, like other sections of the society and the ongoing crisis in Manipur has aggravated the ordeal of the film industry, Surjakanta said that only five Manipuri films were produced in 2023.Continuing that some devoted producers, fortunately, came out this year to prevent Manipuri cinema from dying and the same put some spark back to the State film industry, he said that altogether 26 films were produced in 2024 .

Like other professions, people engaged in the film industry also provide for their families by producing films, Surjakanta said and added that many actors and actresses, however, have changed their profession as the unrest in Manipur has greatly disrupted film production.

Further stating that films is a medium which play a vital role in shaping public perception apart from promoting art and culture of the society, Surjakanta continued that people should not view Manipuri cinema in the wrong light.

Reviving Manipuri cinema won't be possible without cinema halls, he said and added that Manipur had over 70 cinema halls before Covid pandemic but the figure has dropped considerably due to the pandemic and the ongoing crisis.

Saying that only 12 cinema halls screen films in Manipur now, Surjakanta maintained that of the 12, just seven of them function as main theatres.

Usha Hall, Friends Talkies which were very popular at one time have stopped screening films, Suijakanta said.

Operating a cinema hall requires at least six/seven staff, he said and added that cinema halls are dying because theatre attendance has declined considerably.

Saying that it is the minute population in Manipur's valley districts which is keeping Manipur cinema alive, he said that not much revenue comes from hill districts or other States.

Screening both Manipuri and regional films will be helpful in reviving cinema halls, Suijakanta said and added that producing biopics of famous Manipuris instead of staging the plot on family drama all the time and dubbing Manipur films in other languages will also contribute in expanding the market of the State film industry.

Saying that the future of Manipuri cinema is uncertain and even the Film Forum Manipuri functions from a rented room, he expressed desire for the Government to formulate a policy to promote Manipuri cinema and to extend financial assistance to film-makers to produce quality films.

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