Bala Hijam

Surja Bala Hijam (born 9 Jun 1991; at Imphal), better known as Bala Hijam (Meitei pronunciation: /ba-lā hī-jam/), is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is known for her roles in Boong, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Sanagi Tangbal, Amukta Ani and Inamma.

Career Bala Hijam made her debut at the age of 15 in Oken Amakcham's Tellangga Mamei, through the reference of the cinematographer of the movie Irom Maipak. She started shooting for her Hindi film debut Zindagi on the Rocks, but was left incomplete due to some issues. Her notable role after her first film was in Romi Meitei's Khangdreda Nongdamba, where she played a supporting role alongside Kamala Saikhom. Panthungee Wangmada, directed by Yoimayai Mongsaba and produced under the banner Fly High Films was her first film in a leading role. Among her popular films, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Meerang Mahum, Amukta Ani, Delhi Mellei, Sanagi Tangbal and Thabaton 2 may be mentioned. She played the role of a disabled lady in the movie Tamoyaigee Ebecha.

In 2018, she appeared in an educational film Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?. She also featured in the short film Lembi Leima directed by Mayank Pratap Singh in 2022. In 2024, she played the role of Mandakini in Boong, an internationally acclaimed film that had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Accolades Bala Hijam was honoured with different titles at several film awards and festivals. Award Category Film 5th RJ Film Vision Special Award 2011 Special Jury Award 8th Manipur State Film Festival 2013 Best Actress Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba 11th Manipur State Film Awards 2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female Chinglen Sana 9th MANIFA 2020 Best Actor in a Leading Role - Female Inamma 1st Northeast India International Film Festival 2022, DimapurBest ActressLembi Leima Sitannavasal International Film Festival 2022 Thilsri International Film Festival 2023, Chennai Golden Fern Films Award 2023 4th Empty Space International Short Film Festival 2024

Selected filmography All films are in Meitei unless otherwise noted. Year Title Role(s) Director(s) Notes 2006 Tellangga Mamei Bembem Oken Amakcham Child Artist, Debut film 2009 Khangdreda Nongdamba Bala Romi Meitei Panthungee Wangmada Linthoi Yoimayai Mongsaba 2010 Imagi Laman Singamdre Niti Romi Meitei Kadarmapee Nungthil Chaibi L. Prakash 21st Century's Kunti Kethabi Joy Soram 2011 Hanggam Maru Pokkhaibi Mitlaobi L. Surjakanta Loibataare Ta Raju Molly Pilu H. Nongmadi Soidana Leina Ishomani Luhongbagi Ahing Purnima Bijgupta Laishram Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba Majaru Homen D' Wai Won Best Actress 2012 Taru Tarubi Maktabee Maktabee Tej Kshetri Thouri Mallu Khoibam Homeshwori Nongdambada Tanoubi Sanathoi Rajen Leishangthem Mami Lily Jeetendra Ningomba Lamjasara Fajarei L. Prakash Manipur Express Tampha O. Gautam Lamkhai Thadoi Ningthoukhongjam Medhajeet 2013 Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi Assi Sameer Thahir Malayalam Debut Mounao Thoibi Thoibi Romi Meitei Thajagee Maihing Thaja Chow Chow Momo na haobara Shingju Bora na oinambara Nungshitombi RK Jiten Tamoyaigee Ebecha Ebecha Pilu H. 2014 Sathiba Danger Sakhenbi Ajit Ningthouja Sanagi Tangbal Lingjelthoibi Bijgupta Laishram Meerang Mahum Nganthoi Ajit Ningthouja 23rd Century: Ngasigee Matungda Thambal Dinesh Tongbram Hoo Chaage Leishilembi Denny Likmabam Amukta Ani Thoibi Romi Meitei Thabaton 2 Nungsithoi Bijgupta Laishram Delhi Mellei Mellei Ajit Ningthouja 2015 Toro Thoibi Kirmil Soraisam Da Lem Sorinchon Hemanta Khuman Nungshit Mapi Thambal Ajit Ningthouja Cheikhei Sanatombi Premkumar Paonam Angangba Mayek (Pizza 2) Thanil Dinesh Tongbram Eikhoi Pabunggi Engellei Hemanta Khuman Kum Kang Kum Kabi Chang Tharo Bishwamittra 2016 Moreh Maru Bala O. Gautam Tharo Thambal Tharo Bijgupta Laishram Khongfam Tampha Sudhir Kangjam Sor Usha Ajit Ningthouja 2017 Iche Tampha Thadoi Bijgupta Laishram Mitlu Thaarlin Gyaneshwor Konj Mani Mamou Ningthibee Ajit Ningthouja Mr. Khadang Thadoi Chou En Lai Chinglen Sana Langlen Bijgupta Laishram Best Actor - Supporting Role Kaongamdraba Facebook Tampha AK. Gyaneshori 2018 Sanagi Nga Thaja Romi Meitei Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?HerselfPriyakanta Laishram Ebungee Echal Leibaklei Hemanta Khuman Nungshibana Loire Sana Sadananda Salam Chanu IPS Laija Sanaton Nongthomba Yotpi Yoihenbi Romi Meitei Pari Imom Sanatombi Bijgupta Laishram Hidak Tombi Tombi Chou En Lai 2019 Kao Phaaba Matouleibi Ishomani Ichadi Manini Yaiphabi Geet Yumnam Inamma Memtombi Homeshwori Won Best Actress at 9th MANIFA 2020 Namase Chaphu Huranbini Memsana Herojit Naoroibam Wakchingi Len Yaiphabi Bijgupta Laishram Mutlamdai Thaomei Thaballei Sudhir Kangjam Thabaton 3 Nungsithoi Bijgupta Laishram Chanu IPS 2 Laija Sanaton Nongthomba Mamal Naidraba Thamoi Nurei Gyanand Eerei Eethak Krishnakumar Gurumayum 2020 Aronba Wari Mainoubi OC Meira 15 August: A Love Story Krishnand Ningombam 2022 Shamjabee Nungsitombi Premkumar Paonam Ningol Tarubi L. Surjakanta Wangma Wangmada Actress Kirmil Soraisam Lembi Leima Surjabala Mayank Pratap Singh 2024 Boong Mandakini Lakshmipriya Devi Laangoi Henthoi Manoranjan Longjam 2025 Nung Onkhraba Thamoi Thoibi Surjit Khuman Upcoming Ahingsina Loidringei Thoibi O. Gautam Leishembi Leishembi Rakesh Moirangthem Ketukigi Leinam Memthoibi/Memi Gyanand Ksh.