Priyakanta Laishram
| Born | 07 November 1996 |
| Birth Place | Imphal East, Manipur, India |
| Occupation | Actor, Filmmaker, Producer, Writer, LGBTQIA+ Activist |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Mass media
Specialisation In Advertising Sociology Honours |
| Years Active | 2006-present |
| Parents | Harendra Laishram
Laishram (O) Toijam Jibanlata |
| Sibling | Caroline Laishram |
Priyakanta Laishram (Born 7 November 1996 as Priyakanta Thoi Laishram)[1] is an Indian film actor, independent filmmaker, writer, film producer and LGBTQIA+ activist who predominantly appears in Meitei language films of Manipur. He is of Meitei descent originally from Imphal, Manipur, India. [2]
He did his schooling from Tiny Tots' Unique School Imphal, H.R.D Academy Imphal and GMSSS Sector 35 Chandigarh. He completed his Bachelor of Mass media from Lala Lajpat Rai College of Commerce and Economics,Mumbai and also got a degree in Sociology Honours from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is a recipient of several international and national level film awards. The Foul Truth, It's Not My Choice, Who Said Boys Can't Wear Make Up, I am Special, Spaced Out, Chan-Thoibi are some of his notable award winning films. He is also known for his Manipuri (Meiteilon Language) Talk show Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram series. [3]
Career[edit]
In May 2006, Priyakanta Laishram started making short films when he was just 9 years old by using a mobile phone. By the age of 11, he made three full length children films and emerged as one of the youngest filmmakers in India. Asian News International named Priyakanta as "Manipur's Rising Star". [4]
Asian News International wrote "Youth like Priyakanta are brand ambassadors for change that can take place in the Manipur and are a source of inspiration for many." [5]
He himself wrote scripts, directed and edited the films. And all this was done without any help from any experts. Laishram was not trained under any director. It was his determination to follow his passion that prompted him to learn and excel at filmmaking. His first full length children film Lamuknarure followed by Achumbadi Amarni and Chan-Thoibi were screened in 2009. The crew members for the films were his friends and family members. His works gained recognition in Northeast India and he received certificates of appreciation from many organisations. He received several titles including "India's Youngest Filmmaker" by Reuters[6], "Youth Icon 2009" by Mongba Hanba Magazine, "Nokia Award For Outstanding Contribution 2009" by Nokia. An article was also published by Naharol Gi Thoudang in 2009 titled "The Rise Of A Legend - Priyakanta Laishram". In 2015, Priyakanta's tremendous success came with his film It's Not My Choice [7]which is based on Transgender issues. Bishesh Huirem, a celebrated transgender actress from Manipur and also the first Trans woman to represent India at Miss International Queen Pageant essayed the leading role in the film. The film was nominated in many categories and won several awards including Best Filmmaker For A Cause and Jury's Special Mention Award at various national and international level short film festivals.[8]
Priyakanta said "It’s Not My Choice says that it is not by choice that homosexual/transgender people are homosexuals/transgenders. The general public thinks that homosexuality is a genetic defect or it is because of wrong upbringing and socialisation. They have that wrong concept in their mind that someone’s sexual preference or sexuality can easily be changed through proper medication or yoga. I am saying that being gay or trans is a part of normal range of human sexuality. It’s not a mutation, but rather very much like the genetic regions that determine the colour of your hair."[9]
Priyakanta was featured in one of the India's leading LGBT Magazine Gaylaxy (magazine). [10] He also voiced his opinions against Section 377 at various platforms including The Northeast Today[11].
Priyakanta said, "The Supreme Court's ruling is a disappointing setback to human dignity, freedom and the basic rights to privacy and non-discrimination.So it is time for Section 377 to go, like we did away with Sati, with the custom of widows non remarriage, slavery, casteism and so many other uncivilized practices, we should do away with Section 377 and it is time to decriminalize homosexuality so as to clarify that India is an Independent country. And the Supreme Court is empowered to do it".[12]
Priyakanta's next internationally acclaimed film I AM SPECIAL came in 2017. [13]I AM SPECIAL is a Docufiction film based on the real life stories of six differently abled persons. Priyakanta talked about the struggles, strength, courage and willpower of his deceased mother who was suffering from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also the film dealt with the stories of people who are suffering Duchenne muscular dystrophy , Bipolar disorder and others. The film went on to win prestigious awards such as Best Educational Film, Audience Choice Award, Out Of The Box Award at several national and international level film festivals. It was also the first full length english speaking film made by a Manipuri.[14]
Priyakanta was also featured as an additional cast in 2017 All India Bakchod Music Video Album "Bollywood Diva"[15] starring Kangana Ranaut.[16]
Priyakanta Laishram's short films are subversive films intending to overthrow or undermine the existing notion of people towards gender socialisation. In 2018, he made a short film based on Gender neutrality titled Who Said Boys Can't Wear Make Up. [17]The video broke all barriers and tackled a sensitive issue brilliantly. Priyakanta talked about his experiences as a boy wearing make-up and gender neutral clothes and the stigma and discrimination that comes with it. The video also featured former India's Top Model Inder Bajwa, popular Indian television actor Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, popular film actress Bala Hijam, renowned singer John Oinam, Miss Supranational India Peden Ongmu Namgyal and many others.[18]
He also appeared as a guest speaker at India's first Queer and Inclusive Festival - Rainbow Lit Fest. [19]
In May 2018, Priyakanta starred as the protagonist in The Foul Truth (Amakpa Achumba) [20][21][22][23][24]- another social issue based Manipuri film written, edited and directed by himself under his own banner Priyakanta Productions. The film charted the life story of a young boy who is a survivor Male rape / Child sexual abuse. It dealt with the social stigma and discrimination attached to male sexual abuse. The film received rave reviews from all corners for its subject, performances and narrative. The film won multiple Best Actor In A Leading Role awards for Priyakanta's role and other awards such as Best Film On Other Social Issues, Best Screenplay, Unconventional Film Award, Best Sound Design, Best Motion Picture Drama at various national and international film festivals. This film established Priyakanta as one of the most influential filmmakers both for his tense and carefully crafted scripts and the virtuosity of his realism in acting and directing.
In 2019, Priyakanta launched his official YouTube Channel - Priyakanta Laishram. His movie The Foul Truth was released on his YouTube Channel for online streaming.
Priyakanta's another major success came with his 2020 Manipuri Talk show, Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram Season 01 conceptualized, produced and hosted by him.[25] First airing on 01 June 2020, the show quickly became popular, becoming one of the most loved talkshows ever in the history of Manipuri Talkshows. The show concluded its first season on 16 January 2021. Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram is best known for its theme, structure, boldness and uniqueness especially for Priyakanta Laishram's style of hosting. Its success is credited, in particular, to the fact that it is able to rope in some of the biggest names and controversial figures.
In 2021, Priyakanta portrayed the role of a teen drug addict in his critically acclaimed film Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida. [26][27][28][29][30]
The film is a realistic depiction of drug addiction and how there is no magic cure. The film won 5 awards and 15 nominations including Best Actor In A Leading Role for Priyakanta, Best Narration, Best Screenplay etc at various film festivals.
Family[edit]
Priyakanta Laishram was born on November 07, 1996 in the Imphal East district of Manipur, into a Meitei family. Priyakanta's father, Harendra Laishram[31] is an MPS (Manipur Police Service) Officer and his mother,(Late) Jibanlata Laishram, was an actress. He has one elder sister Caroline Laishram[32], who is a renowned fashion designer. His mother passed away due to Amyotrophic Lateral Scherosis in 2016 after fighting for 4 years.
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Genre - Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Lammuknarure | Children Film |
| 2009 | Achumbadi Amarni | Children Film |
| 2009 | Chan Thoibi | Children Film |
| 2015 | It's Not My Choice | Transgender Issues |
| 2017 | I am Special | Differently Abled |
| 2017 | Bollywood Diva Music Video | All India Bakchod Music Video |
| 2018 | Who Said Boys Can't Wear Make Up | Gender Neutrality |
| 2018 | The Foul Truth - Amakpa Achumba | Male Rape/Male Sexual Assault/Child Abuse |
| 2019 | Friends - Eigee Marup | Friendship |
| 2020 | Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram | Talkshow |
| 2020 | Save The Girl Child - Educate The Girl Child | Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana Awareness Video |
| 2021 | Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida | Teen Drug Abuse |
| 2022 | Oneness | Gay Romance |
Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram Talk-Show[edit]
| Year | Season | Episode | Guest | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 01 | 01 | Junreiwon Thongam | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2020 | 01 | 02 | Jenny Khurai | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2020 | 01 | 03 | Pooja Elangbam | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2020 | 01 | 04 | R.K Ichanthoi | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2020 | 01 | 05 | Renedy Singh | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2020 | 01 | 06 | Sonia Samjetsabam | Priyakanta Laishram |
| 2020 | 01 | 07 | Maya Choudhury | Priyakanta Laishram |
Awards (Won)[edit]
| Year | Title | Film |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | India's Youngest Film Maker by Reuters | Lammuknarure, Achumbadi Amarni & Chan-Thoibi |
| 2009 | Youth Icon 2009 by Mongba Hanba Magazine | Lammuknarure, Achumbadi Amarni & Chan-Thoibi |
| 2009 | Nokia Award For Outstanding Contribution by Nokia | Lammuknarure & Achumbadi Amarni |
| 2009 | Sony Special Recognition Award by Sony | Chan-Thoibi |
| 2009 | Special Recognition For Exceptional Work by CNN Nokia Priority Dealer | Lammuknarure & Achumbadi Amarni |
| 2011 | Manipur's Rising Star by ANI | Lammuknarure, Achumbadi Amarni & Chan-Thoibi |
| 2015 | Best Film On Social Cause at Highland Independent Film Festival 2015 | It's Not My Choice |
| 2015 | Best Filmmaker For A Cause at Jalandhar National Short Film Festival 2015 | It's Not My Choice |
| 2015 | Special Jury Mention at Highland Independent Film Festival 2015 | It's Not My Choice |
| 2015 | Best Story at Jalandhar National Short Film Festival 2015 | It's Not My Choice |
| 2017 | Honorable Mention at Riverrun International Film Festival | It's Not My Choice |
| 2017 | Best Educational Film Award at Goa National Short Film Festival | I am Special |
| 2017 | Out Of The Box Award by National Symbiosis Allied Media | I am Special |
| 2018 | Best Multimedia Influencer by Lifestyle Young Influencer Awards 2018 | Who Said Boys Can't Wear Make Up |
| 2018 | Best Actor In A Leading Role at National Symbiosis Allied Media Awards 2018 | The Foul Truth |
| 2018 | Best Film On Other Social Issues at St. Leuven International Short Film Festival | The Foul Truth |
| 2018 | Best Actor In A Leading Role at World Freedom Film Festival 2018 | The Foul Truth |
| 2018 | Best Sound Design at World Freedom Film Festival 2018 | The Foul Truth |
| 2019 | Best Actor In A Motion Picture (Drama) at Jalandhar National Short Film Festival 2019 | The Foul Truth |
| 2019 | Best Screenplay at Short Motion Pictures Wave National Festival 2019 | The Foul Truth |
| 2019 | Best Actor Award (Critics) at Short Motion Pictures Wave National Festival 2019 | The Foul Truth |
| 2019 | Unconventional Film Award at Human Rights Asian Film Festival | The Foul Truth |
| 2019 | Best Background Score at Indian Independent Film Festival | The Foul Truth |
| 2020 | Best Actor In A Leading Role at Asian Independent Film Festival 2020 | Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida |
| 2021 | Best Actor In A Leading Role (Drama) at Short & Non-Feature National Wave Festival 2021 | Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida |
This article "Priyakanta Laishram" is from Simple English Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Priyakanta Laishram.
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This page exists already on Wikipedia. |
- ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram". The Movie Database. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Laishram Priyankanta, Manipur's rising star". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Laishram Priyankanta Manipur rising star 20110729". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "India's youngest filmmaker made a short film on transgender". Gaylaxy Magazine. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2021-11-23. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Laishram, Priyakanta (2017-01-15), It's Not My Choice, Priyakanta Productions, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "It's Not My Choice (2015) - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "India's youngest filmmaker made a short film on transgender". Gaylaxy Magazine. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2021-11-23. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "India's youngest filmmaker made a short film on transgender". Gaylaxy Magazine. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2021-11-23. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Northeastern LGBTQ community demand freedom from Section 377 on Independence Day". thenortheasttoday.com. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Northeastern LGBTQ community demand freedom from Section 377 on Independence Day". thenortheasttoday.com. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ Laishram, Priyakanta (2018-06-13), I am Special, Priyakanta Productions, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "I am Special (2017) - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "The digs that Kangana Ranaut took at Hindi film industry in The Bollywood Diva Song are not to be missed". The Indian Express. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Kangana Ranaut's 'Bollywood Diva' video with AIB calls out sexism — and the 'wokebro'-Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ Laishram, Priyakanta (2018-10-25), Who Said Boys Can't Wear Make Up, Priyakanta Productions, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "Who Said Boys Can't Wear Make Up (2018) - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Digital & One - Schedule". Rainbow Lit Fest 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ Laishram, Priyakanta (2019-06-02), The Foul Truth, Priyakanta Productions, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "The Foul Truth - Amakpa Achumba (2018) - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ The Foul Truth (2019), retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ The Foul Truth, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "The Foul Truth". The Movie Database. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram". EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki. 2021-09-07. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ Laishram, Priyakanta (2021-06-01), Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida, Priyakanta Productions, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida (2021) - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Priyakanta Laishram". Trakt. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ↑ "Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida". The Movie Database. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Harendra Laishram - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ↑ "Caroline Laishram - KLMDb". klmdb.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
