Romi Meitei

Screenwriter, lyricist and director

Romi Meitei

Born|

Mayanglambam Romi Meitei

19 Sept 1976

Wangkhei Pukhrambam Leirak, Imphal, Manipur

Nationality| Indian
Education| Graduate,Sociology, D.M. College of Arts
Years active| 2004-present
Spouse| Sheetal Chingsubam
Children| 3

Romi Meitei is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Manipuri films.[1] He is a recipient of several awards at film festivals organized in India and abroad, including a National Film Award.[2]

Angangba Kurao Mapal, Thoiba Thoibi, Inga Nonglakta, Hiktharaba Samji: Pizza, Akhunba Mani, Khujingee Mami, Ekhenglakta Red Rose, Natephamda Tero, Chumthang Makhong, Imagi Laman Singamdre, Thengmankhre Thabalse, Mikithi and Eikhoigi Yum are some of the well-known movies he directed.[3]

He has also made films which are adaptations of famous radio plays and Shumang Kumheis. Imagi Laman Singamdre, Yotpi, Sanagi Nga, Sangbrei Managi Chenghi Manam, Hiktharaba Samji: Pizza are among such films.

In 2017, he directed a music video titled Nura Pakhang. It is a Portuguese and Meitei language collaboration music video on the present situation of Manipuri pony.[4] As of 2022, his feature film Eikhoigi Yum Won FIPRESCI International Federation of Film Critics Award for the best International Film and NETPAC Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Jury Special Mention at the 27th International Film Festival of Kerala.[5]

## Accolades

[edit]

Romi Meitei has won many awards for his feature and non-feature films. His 2013 movie Tabunungda Akaiba Likli swept many awards at the SSS MANIFA 2014. Noong Amadi Yeroom, his 2011 non-feature film received official selection in 42nd IFFI (International film festival of India), Indian Panorama, MIFF 2012 International competition, 2nd Best Film in Manhattan Short Film Festival and Official selection at Beyond Bollywood festival, Frankfurt.[6] Eesing Gi Machu won the Best Film at the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival 2016.[7][8]

Yours Faithfully got official selection at Global Cinema festival by Film Federation of India. His 2019 non-feature film Motsillaba Mingsel bagged the Special Jury award at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020.[9] The film also won the Best Director and Best Child Artist awards at the Cochin International Shortfilm Awards 2021.[10] Motsillaba Mingsel won the Grand Jury Award for Best Film and House of Illusion Award for Best Short Fiction at the Chalachitram National Film Festival 2021, held under aegis of Directorate of Film Festival and Cultural Department, Government of Assam.[11] The film also won the Best Short Film Award at The Himalayan Film Festival 2021 held in Leh, Ladakh.[12]

His 2021 film Eikhoigi Yum won the Best Feature Film award at the 14th Manipur State Film Festival 2022.[13] The film also won an Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Indie Meme Film Festival 2023, held in Austin City, United States.[14] At Kazan International Muslim Film Festival 2023, he won Best Director Award for the film. [15] At the 69th National Film Awards, the film won Best Feature Film In Manipuri.[16]

In November 2023, he served as jury member at the 54th International Film Festival of India for Indian Panorama Feature Films section.[17]

## Social work

[edit]

Romi Meitei also contributes to social works. He is the Chairman of Mami Thawan Foundation,[18] a non-profit foundation which provides services for the welfare of Manipur Society.[19]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Selected feature films

[edit]

Year | Title | ______________Notes________________

|
|

2004 | Angangba Kurao Mapal | Debut film.
2005 | Thengmankhre Thabalse | A film on love, poverty and kinships.
Ayukki Likla | A love triangle movie.
2006 | Khuji | A multi-starrer romance drama.
Thoiba Thoibi | A production of Nison Films. A romance drama.
Inga Nonglakta | A romance genre movie.
2007 | Dhrubatara | A love triangle movie.
Akhunba Mani | A family drama.
Manithoiba | A comedy-romance genre movie.
2008 | Da Sadananda | A heartbreaking movie on romance, health and poverty.
Chumthang Makhong | A film on the insurgency movement in Manipur.
Ekhenglaktagi Red Rose | A film on the insurgency movement in Manipur.
2009 | Mikithi | A movie on unrequited love.
Ingao Ngaona | Official selection at the 7th Manipur State Film Festival 2010.
Khangdreda Nongdamba | A production of Pibarel Films. Official selection at the 7th Manipur State Film Festival 2010.
Natephamda Tero | A comedy drama.
Dharmagi Mingda Imagidamak | A family drama which focusses on the old aged people being neglected by his/her own children. Adapted from the famous radio serial play by Herojit Naoroibam.
2010 | Imagee Ibungo | A production of Bandana Films.
Imagi Laman Singamdre | A film on drug menace among the youths in Manipur.
Thoudang | Screened at the Second International Women's Film Festival 2012, Shillong.
Ashit Awanthada Pee Thadoi Ahum | Adapted from Herojit Naoroibam's radio play Pee Thadoi Ahum.
Mamado Leisabido Angaobido | Based on Khaidem Pramodini's play of the same title.
2011 | Mikithi 2 | Sequel to the 2009 movie Mikithi.
2012 | Khujingee Mami |
Lanphamda Ibeni | Based on Kunjalal Yendrenbam's radio play of the same name.
Hiktharaba Samji: Pizza | Adapted from the famous Shumang Leela Pizza by Dinesh Tongbram.
Yairipok Thambalnu Amaga |
2013 | Mounao Thoibi | A comedy film on consequences faced by an adolescent.
Tabunungda Akaiba Likli | Received Best Director/ Best film award in SSS MANIFA 2014. A love triangle movie.
Sangbrei Managi Chenghi Manam | Based on the Shumang Leela by Herojit Naoroibam.
Thajagee Maihing | Based on the Shumang Leela of the same title.
2014 | Amukta Ani | A love triangle movie.
2018 | Sanagi Nga | Based on the famous Shumang Leela performed by IMAA.
October | Worked with the Directorial team in making the movie.
Yotpi | Adapted from Herojit Naoroibam's radio play of the same name.
Amuktangga Haikho | A romance drama.
2021 | Eikhoigi Yum | Winner 69th National Film Awards Best Manipuri FilmWinner National Film Awards

Winner FIPRESCIInternational Federation of Film Critics Award for the best International Film at 27IFFK,

Winner NETPAC Jury Special AwardNetwork for the Promotion of Asian Cinema at 27IFFK,

Winner Best Director at 19 Kazan International Film Festival RussiaKIFF.

Winner Best Narrative Feature at Indie Meme Film Festival Austin, USA IMFF.

Winner Best Cinematography at International Film festival of Family & Children, Yaroslavl, Russia, [1]

Winner Best Film (Live section) at Imagine India International Film Festival, Madrid, Spain [2]

Winner Best Feature Film, Winner Best Art Director, Winner Best Child Artiste, Winner Best Sound Design, Winner Best Editor at the 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022.

Winner Best Director at Sailadhar Film Awards, Assam Winner Best Cinematography at Sailadhar Film Awards, Assam

### Non-feature films

[edit]

Year | Title | ________________Notes__________________

|
|

2010 | Cease Baby’s Whimpering Cry | Received Official selection at MIFF 2010 and SiGNS 2010.
2011 | Noong Amadi Yeroom | Received Official selection in 42nd IFFI Indian Panorama, MIFF 2012 International competition, 2nd Best Film in Manhattan Short Film Festival and Official selection at Beyond Bollywood festival, Frankfurt.[20]
2012 | Kaangkhada Lin | Received Best Director/Best Film award in BVFF 2013 and MIFF 2014 National Competition.
2013 | Karfew | Received Best Director and Best Film on Social Issues Awards in MSFA 2014 and 2nd Best Film Award in BVFF 2014. Won the 2nd Prize at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)'s Short Film Award Competition 2022.[21]
2015 | Eesing Gi Machu (Colors of Water) | Received Best Director/ Best Film award in MSFA, Best Director/Best film award in BVFF 2015 and MIFF 2016 International PRISM.
2018 | Yours Faithfully | Received Best Director/Best film award in MSFA 2018 and Official selection at Global Cinema festival by Film Federation of India.
2019 | Motsillaba Mingsel | Bagged the Special Jury Award at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. Won Best Director and Best Child Artist awards at the Cochin International Shortfilm Awards 2021. Official selection at the Lift-Off Global Network Sessions 2021. Best Short Film Award at The Himalayan Film Festival 2021.
2025 | Chahi Taret Khuntakpa | Film on seven years devastation that happened in Manipur during the period 1819-1826.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Amukhomba Ngangbam. "Public support behind growth of Manipur Film Industry – Romi Meitei". manipurtimes.com. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
2. ^ "Romi Meitei, Saikhom Ratan shine at National Film Awards". Imphal Free Press. 18 October 2023.
3. ^ "Interaction with team of Manipuri Film personalities at Delhi 20150413". www.e-pao.net.
4. ^ "Manipuri folk singer collaborates with Portuguese group for a cause". www.radioandmusic.com.
5. ^ "Eikhoigi Yum - The Sangai Express". The Sangai Express. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
6. ^ "Noong Amadi Yeroom: Manipuri film selected for Frankfurt festival | Guwahati News - Times of India". The Times of India.
7. ^ "Romi Meitei wins first prize at Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival 20160729". e-pao.net.
8. ^ "11th Manipur State Film Awards 2018 : 10th dec18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
9. ^ "13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 Result". e-pao.net.
10. ^ "Motsillaba Mingsel wins two awards : 07th jun21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
11. ^ "Chalachitram National Festival 2021: Manipuri filmmaker Romi Meitei's 'Motsillaba Mingsel' bags awards". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
12. ^ "Biren congratulates Himalayan Film Festival award winners of Manipur". www.pothashang.in. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
13. ^ "14th Manipur State Film Award, 2022 Winners announced". e-pao.net. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
14. ^ "Romi Meitei's 'Eikhoigi Yum (Our Home)' bags IMFF 2023 Audience Choice Award in USA". Ukhrul Times. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
15. ^ "Manipuri Filmmaker Romi Meitei Bags Best Director's Award At Kazan International Muslim Film Festival". ABP. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
16. ^ "A reason to smile for people of Manipur! Two filmmakers from the state bag National Award". Economic Times. 17 October 2023.
17. ^ "Indian Panorama at IFFI mirrors the nation's cultural diversity and visual literacy growth: Jury Chairperson (Indian Panorama Feature Films)". Press Information Bureau. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023 - via press release.
18. ^ "Home". mamithawan.com.
19. ^ "Mami Thawan Foundation accords warm welcome". www.thesangaiexpress.com.
20. ^ "MANIPUR KUMHEI Bengaluru 2012 February 04 and 05 20120201". e-pao.net.
21. ^ "Telugu short film 'Street Student' wins Rs 2 lakh prize at NHRC's Short Film Award Competition". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 January 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Romi Meitei Interview
* Romi Meitei in KLMDb