Lakhipuronline Digital Desk, March 6, 2026: In a significant cultural milestone for the Manipuri diaspora spread across Northeast India, the internationally acclaimed Manipuri feature film Yahouthengba Khoimu was successfully screened on 3 March 2026 at the Kakramura Mandop (traditional community pavilion) in Narayan Khamar, a Meetei (Manipuri) village in Tripura. The screening brought together cinema enthusiasts, cultural activists, and community leaders to celebrate regional storytelling.
Directed by Rakesh Naorem and produced by Dr. RK Nayansana Devi, the film has already garnered multiple international awards. The special screening was not just an entertainment event but a clarion call for the Manipuri communities in Tripura and Assam, particularly in regions like Cachar and the Barak Valley, to elevate their cinematic endeavors to national standards.
A Night of Cinematic Celebration and Felicitation
Prior to the film's screening, a formal felicitation ceremony was organized to honor the creators and visiting delegates. Ningombam Pranay, Secretary of the MARUP Organization in Tripura and a noted social and cultural activist, presented a memento and gifts to Director Rakesh Naorem, acknowledging his contribution to regional cinema.
The event also witnessed Langoljam Nilkamal, Secretary of the Naran Khamar Apunba Lup, honoring Yaiskul Khwairakpam, Advisor to Ipak Films Production Manipur, and Chongtham Sangeeta, a traditional religious practitioner. Sinam Deepak, Secretary of the Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, also attended the program as a special guest, elevating the evening's prestige.
Background & Context: The Push for CBFC Certification
A central theme of the event was the urgent need for professional filmmaking among the Manipuri diaspora. Addressing the gathering, Director Rakesh Naorem emphasized that the time has come for the Meetei communities residing in Tripura and Assam to produce films that are officially recognized by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
For the uninitiated, CBFC certification is mandatory for the public exhibition of films in India. A CBFC certificate (categorized as U, U/A, A, or S) not only legally sanctions a film for theatrical release but also qualifies it for national and international film festivals, government subsidies, and broader satellite distribution.
Naorem highlighted that since the release of the first Manipuri feature film, Matamgi Manipur, in 1972, the industry has completed a remarkable 54-year journey. He assured that Ipak Films Production Manipur stands ready to provide technical and logistical support to aspiring filmmakers in Assam and Tripura to help them cross the CBFC milestone.
Impact on Local Community / Region
The cultural resonance of such screenings extends far beyond Tripura, deeply impacting the Manipuri populations in Assam's Barak Valley. Cinema acts as a powerful linguistic and cultural bridge for these geographically dispersed communities.
Naorem recalled the long-standing efforts to build this cinematic bridge. In 2013, Ipak Films organized camps in Tripura to shoot the film Leiyisigi Wangmasa, attempting to spark a local film movement. Later, in 2019-2020, Bangladesh ki Sana Tampha was also screened for the diaspora.
By bringing Yahouthengba Khoimu directly to the grassroots level in Narayan Khamar, the filmmakers are fostering a sense of shared identity. Frequent cultural exchanges through cinema are vital for tightening the bonds between the diaspora and their ancestral homeland.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Reception
The post-screening interaction program revealed the profound emotional impact the film had on the local audience. Kshetrimayum Madhabi Singha, a prominent singer and cultural activist in Tripura, delivered a glowing review of the feature.
She praised Yahouthengba Khoimu for its high philosophical depth and its accurate portrayal of the ideal Manipuri woman. She noted that the family-friendly film is deeply embedded with ritualistic elements and delivers a powerful, positive message to contemporary society.
Echoing this sentiment, Sinam Deepak expressed immense pride in the international recognition achieved by Manipuri cinema. He noted that watching the film alongside its director was a rare and enriching privilege for the villagers of Narayan Khamar. He also proudly referenced the recent national success of another Manipuri film, Boong, as proof of the region's growing cinematic prowess.
Why This Matters / Key Takeaways
- Cultural Preservation: Regional cinema serves as a living archive of language, traditions, and social values for the diaspora in Assam and Tripura.
- Industry Expansion: The call for CBFC-certified films from outside Manipur proper signals a shift towards mainstreaming diaspora narratives.
- Community Bonding: Collaborative filmmaking initiatives backed by established production houses like Ipak Films can economically and culturally empower the youth in Assam & Tripura.
- Global Standards: The success of film Boong proves that Northeastern stories possess global appeal when executed with professional rigor.
The screening of Yahouthengba Khoimu is more than just a local entertainment event; it is a strategic step toward unifying a fragmented diaspora. As regional creators in Assam and Tripura answer the call to produce certified, high-quality cinema, the Northeast is poised to offer even richer, more diverse narratives to the global stage.
✍️ Published by Lakhipuronline Team