Manipuri cinema is circumscribed by diktats of insurgent groups that act as moral police. In 2002, Meitei-centric valley groups banned Hindi movies in the state. Restrictions were imposed on Manipuri cinema: lead characters would have to wear traditional clothing, storylines would have to be traditional, and dream sequences and fantasies were banned. “It’s not just films, but even music videos. Whether it is a rock or classical or pop music video, the women have to mandatorily wear phaneks (Manipuri traditional clothing), and no other clothing is permitted,’’ said Meena Longjam who won a national award for her film “Autodriver’’ in 2015.
Laishram says it was “exceedingly’’ difficult. “I spent eight months just looking for an actor to play the lead role. Every actor said no because it was the role of a gay man.
While I got an actor to play the boyfriend, I had to play the victim’s character in the movie myself,’’ said Laishram, who has also written, produced and directed the film.
Meri umr 23 sal hai aur mai abhi part time job karta hu. Aaj jo mai aap logo ke samane apni kahani pesh karne ja raha hu ye meri kahani hai aur mere jiwan ki sachi ghatana hai. Main is site me roj nayi nayi kahaniyan padhata hu. To dosto ab main aap logo ka jyada samay barbad nahi karunga aur apni kahani shuru karata hu. Meri collage ki padhai khatm hone ke bad maine soch liya tha ki mai ghar me to nahi rahunga.