Khwairakpam Bishwamittra

Khwairakpam Bishwamittra is an Indian film director, actor and script writer who works in theatre and Manipuri films. He first appeared on silver screen in the 1996 hit film Kanaga Hinghouni, where he co-directed with Chan Heisnam. Some of the famous films he directed include Kaorage, Torei and Sur Da Ngaojabee. He is also a renowned playwright of Manipuri Shumang Leelas and stage plays produced by AIR Imphal and Doordarshan DDK Imphal. As of 2022, his non-feature Eewai got official selection at the 4th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2022. Eewai was screened at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival in Short and Documentary Panorama section on 19 and 21 December 2022 at Nandan-III and Sichir Mancha, Kolkata.

Education Bishwamittra enrolled at Newport University to pursue a bachelor's degree in Telecommunication Engineering. He also earned a bachelor's degree from Manipur University in Political Science (Honors). He received double diploma in Theatre from National Theatre, Studies and Rupmahal Theatre; and diploma in Music from Kharagarh University.

Career Bishwamittra became a renowned figure in the Manipuri film industry as a director and an actor with his debut film Kanaga Hinghouni (1996), where he co-directed with Chan Heisnam. Pairing with Ksh. Kishorekumar, he co-directed four movies, Iral Oirage (1997), Amambasu Anganbani (1998), Aroiba Natte (1999) and Thamoinadi Kouhouri (2001), produced by Chan Heisnam under the banner Bright Film Manipur. In 2001, he directed Shiroi Lily produced by S. Ibomcha Singh for SB Sons Film and Yaoshangi Meiri (2002) produced by Laishram Lokendra for EUM Imphal. So far, he has directed 54 Manipuri feature films, 19 short fictions and 4 documentaries. He wrote scripts and directed the ballets The Third Eye for Adult Education Department, Government of Manipur in 2007 and Wakollo for Lalit Kala Sangam Imphal in 2014. His short fictions Hang Hang, The Boiling Blood and The Skiff, where he worked as director and script writer, got official selections at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). Hang Hang was selected in the 18th International Children Film Festival 2013, Hyderabad. In 2009, he produced and directed the movie Shak Henba Bhoot.

Besides films, he is a Senior A Grade approved drama artiste of AIR Imphal and also a Senior Fellow in Dramatic Literature under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He is an approved announcer of Doordarshan Imphal and AIR Imphal. Bishwamittra is also an empanelled producer of PPC (NE) Doordarshan Guwahati, Doordarshan Imphal and Doordarshan Itanagar. He also worked as an actor and assistant director in the Mahabharat audio drama serial of 53 Episodes produced from 1999 to 2002. He was the Vice President of Film Forum Manipur, Imphal.

Bishwamittra's performance as Ahanjao in the 2018 film Taibang Keithel was recognized by Screen Echoes Manipur as one of the Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema of the Last Decade.

Accolades Bishwamittra was honoured with different titles at several film and theatre awards and festivals. Award Category Work Ref. 29th All India Mutlilingual Drama Festival Allahabad 1996 Best Script Writer & Best Actor Kaklabasu Ahingba Makok 3rd Manipur State Film Awards 1997 Best Feature Film Kanaga Hinghouni 1st SSS MANIFA 2012 Best Direction Tillaikhombee 8th Manipur State Film Festival 2013 Best Short Film Hang Hang 12th Manipur State Film Awards 2018 Best Actor in a Leading Role - Male Taibang Keithel 47th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2018-19 Second Best Scriptwriter Thaja Machetki ThabalGlobal Independent Film Festival of India 20223rd Best DirectorEewai 15th Manipur State Film Awards 2023 Best Director (Non-Feature) & Best Short Film International Film Festival of Telangana 2025 Best Screenplay Yahouthengba Khoimu Manipur State Kala Akademi Award 2024 Theatre / Shumang Leela / Performing Arts His contributions to theatre

Selected filmography

Feature Films

Non-feature films