59th National Film Awards 2011: Phijigee Mani bags best regional film award
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre

New Delhi, March 07 2012: Manipuri feature film- "Phijigee Mani" directed by Oinam Gautam was selected the Best Regional Film Award in Manipuri language at the 59th National Film awards for the year 2011 which was announced today at PIB Conference Hall, Shastri Bhavan here in a joint press conference addressed by the Chairpersons of the three juries, Ms Rohini Hattangady for feature films, Ramesh Sharma for non-feature films and Ms Vijaya Mulay for Best Writing on Cinema category.

The Producer Takhelchangbam Ongbi Medha Sharmi and the Director Oinam Gautam of the film will receive the awards carrying Rajat Kamal and cash prize of Rs 1,00,000 each.

Leishangthem Tonthoingambi who played the character of Yaiphabee in Phijigee Mani was also selected for the prestigious Best Supporting Actress Award and would receive the Rajat Kamal and cash prize of Rs 50, 000 .

Earlier, Master Leikhendra received the Best Child Artiste Award of National Film Awards 1982 for his role in Imagi Ningthem.

Kiranmala received Special Mention of 38th National Film awards 1990 for her role as Maibi in Ishanou.

Director Oinam Gautam and producer Medha Sharmi of the film - Phijigee Mani

The 111 minutes film Phijigee Mani made under the banner of Radha Govind Films, tells the story of a young girl Yaiphabee, who sets out on a journey to bring some changes and happiness in her family.

On the way, she is also disturbed by the past memories of her home and her family.

The film delivers a strong and beautiful message about the mother-son relationship, on the backdrop of present day Manipur.

The film was also selected for the Indian Panorama of the Indian International Film Festival of India 2011 held in Goa.

Makhonmani Mongsaba's Chatledo Eidi was the last Manipuri film to receive the Best Regional film in Manipuri in the 48th National Film Awards 2000 .

So far 10 Manipuri feature films namely Debkumar Bose's Matamgi Manipur, Aribam Syam Sharma's Saaphabee, Olangthagee Wangmadasoo, Imagi Ningthem, Ishanou and Sanabi, MA Singh's Sanakeithel, K Ibohal sharma's Sambal Wangma, Oken Amakcham's Mayophygee Macha and Makhonmani Mongsaba's Chatledo Eidi already bagged the Rajat Kamal for the Best regional Film in the National Film Awards instituted by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Borun Thokchom's Silent Poet was also selected as the Best Debut Film of a Director in the Non- Feature films category of the 59th National Films Awards.

The Award carries a Rajat Kamal and cash prize of Rs.75,000 .

The Best Film of the 59th National Film Awards was shared by films Deool (Marathi) produced by Abhijeet Gholap & directed by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni and Byari (Byari language) produced by TH Althaf Hussain and directed by Suveeram.

The award carries Swarna Kamal and cash prize of Rs 2,50,000. In Non-feature film category , the Best Film went to And We Play On (Hindi & English)directed and produced by Pramod Purswane.

The awards carries Swarna Kamal and Cash prize of Rs 1,50,000. In Best Writing on Cinema category the Swarna Kamal went to the book titled RD Burman - The Man, The Music written by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal, published by Harper Collins India.

Whereas Manoj Barpujari from Assam has been awarded Best Film Critic.

The Award ceremony function will be held on May 3 in New Delhi.