Priyakanta Laishram

Priyakanta Laishram (born 7 November 1998) is an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and film editor from the Meitei ethnicity of Imphal, Manipur who predominantly works in Manipuri films. Known for his socially relevant and unconventional films, he began making children's films at the age of 9 using a Nokia N70 mobile phone, receiving recognitions including The Youngest Filmmaker 2009 from Nokia and Manipur's Rising Star 2011 from Asian News International. His directorial work includes Oneness, notable for being Manipur’s first film centered on same-sex relationships. Laishram has won numerous accolades for his films, including a Manipur State Film Award and the Best Director Northeast award at the Prag Cine Awards.

Some of his notable works are Oneness, The Foul Truth, It's Not My Choice, Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida!, Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?, I Am Special, and Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram.

Early life and education He was born on 7 November 1998 in the Imphal East district of Manipur. His father Harendra Laishram is a Manipur Police Officer and his mother Jibanlata Laishram was an actress. His elder sister Caroline Laishram is a fashion designer.

After suffering from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his mother died in 2016. At the age of 16, he moved to Chandigarh to attend his senior secondary school. He then switched to Mumbai to pursue his bachelor's degree.

At Mumbai University, Laishram earned a bachelor of arts in mass media with a concentration in advertising. He also holds an honours degree in Sociology from Chandigarh's Panjab University. He completed his Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with distinction from Amity University, Noida in 2024.

Career

2007–2011: Mobile phone filmmaking Priyakanta Laishram started making short films when he was 9 years old by using a mobile phone, Nokia N70.

Later that year, he directed two more children's films, Achumbadi Amarni, shot on a Nokia N70 and edited using the phone's built-in video editing software, and Chan-Thoibi, shot on a Sony Cyber-shot camera. He wrote, directed and edited all three films, which featured children from his neighbourhood, family and circle of friends. He received recognition as Manipur's Rising Star by Asian News International, The Youngest Filmmaker 2009 by Nokia, and Youth Icon 2009 by Mongba Hanba Magazine. His story was later featured by Reuters, bringing attention to his early filmmaking. left Laishram in 2007, at the age of 9 shooting his short film on Nokia N70.

2015–Present: Socially relevant and unconventional short films Laishram stated the following in an interview with Scroll.in on his transition from making films for children on mobile phones to social issue-based films:"My film-making journey so far has had two phases. I was nine-years-old when I began making films with a Nokia N70 mobile phone. When I made those films, I was a child. Therefore, they had a stronger kid vibe. The second phase began after my senior secondary education. Sexual identity crisis, sexual harassment/abuse, mom’s ALS diagnosis and her death, living by myself in Chandigarh and Mumbai, and dad's remarriage – many such life-altering events occurred between the first and second phases of my film-making journey, and I also discovered who I was. His films are known for focusing on taboo subjects such as child abuse, male rape, LGBTQ issues, gender neutrality, and drug menace. Laishram in 2009, at the age of 11 receiving a Nokia award from the then IPS Officer Thokchom Radheshyam.In 2015, he wrote, edited, and directed the film It's Not My Choice, which stars Bishesh Huirem, the first Indian to represent India in Miss International Queen 2016, and depicts the story of a young transgender person named Sanathoi who is deprived of her basic rights. For the movie, Laishram was featured in Gaylaxy Magazine. The film received critical acclaim upon its premiere, with critics applauding Laishram's direction and writing in particular. The Sangai Express wrote, "Priyakanta Laishram's ability to maintain a straightforward and concise screenplay and dialogue without becoming didactic in conveying his intended message is truly praiseworthy. It is undeniable that he excels in his writing and directorial skills, as evidenced by his remarkable work in this film," while E-Pao cited the film as "One of the most impactful films on transgender visibility". Laishram won Best Film On Social Cause at the Highland Independent Film Festival 2015, Best Story and Best Filmmaker For A Cause at the Jalandhar Short Film Festival 2015.

In 2017, he wrote, edited, and directed I Am Special, a documentary-fiction film about differently abled individuals. The film comprises six segments and draws on two real-life narratives, including that of his mother, who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), along with four fictionalized stories. I Am Special is the first English-language docufiction film made by a Manipuri. He received the Out of the Box Award at the Symbiosis Allied Media Awards for the film in 2018. Poknapham reviewed the film positively, noting that the film treats disability as a lived condition shaped by social attitudes, access, and everyday experience, with clarity and care.

Later in the year, he featured in the Kangana Ranaut starrer The Bollywood Diva, a music video produced by All India Bakchod and directed by Tanmay Bhat.

His 2018 movie Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? was the first Indian film to deal with gender neutral fashion and men's make-up, for which he won Best Multimedia Influencer Award at the Lifestyle Young Influencer Awards 2018 in Mumbai. The film was premiered at St. Regis, Mumbai in 2018. Upon release, the film received positive response.

His next movie was The Foul Truth in 2019. The film was about a boy who is a survivor of male rape and child sexual abuse. The film was also known for being the first film from Northeast India to accentuate the hidden truth about male rape. Laishram played the role of a sexual assault survivor in the movie, which earned him critical acclaim for his performance. The film received rave reviews for its theme, direction, dialogue and performances. The film was screened at 33 international film festivals. Praising Laishram's performance, The Sangai Express wrote, "He gives a solid performance as the sexual assault survivor 'Thoithoiba' and brilliantly brings out the nuances to deliver a compelling act. He succeeds in spreading his stamp all over the film".

In 2020, his talk-show Up-Close With Priyakanta Laishram was released on his YouTube channel The Sangai Express describes the film as a “poignant and powerful exploration of teenage substance abuse,” while noting that its short runtime limits character development and narrative depth. For his portrayal of a teen drug abuser, Panthoi, Laishram won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Human Rights & Social Issues Film Festival 2019, Tokyo. Additionally, he won Best Actor in Drama and Best Screenplay at the Short & Non-Feature Motion Pictures Wave Festival 2020-2021, Delhi.

2024: Debut Feature Film Laishram's 2024 debut feature film, Oneness, is the first Manipuri film to explore same-sex relationships. in Mumbai on May 17, 2024, at Cinepolis. Elle (India) listed the film as one of the top eight, while Mid-Day named it one among the 10 films to watch at KASHISH 2024. The film was subsequently officially selected and screened at the 14th Bangalore Queer Film Festival and the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival, along with several other film festivals.

Upon its release, the film received generally positive reviews across various aspects. Imphal Review of Arts and Politics praised Priyakanta Laishram’s emotionally raw performance, empathetic direction, restrained screenplay, and sound design in Oneness, calling it “a defiant cinematic stand against deep-rooted socio-cultural intolerance.” The Sangai Express wrote, "Priyakanta Laishram is a meticulous filmmaker whose work on Oneness has set new standards in Manipuri cinema. Known for his dedication, smart work, and critical analysis, Priyakanta has brought a unique vision to this film. His portrayal of Ivan Martin, the film’s protagonist, stands out as the best performance among the entire cast." E-Pao described the film as "a masterclass in storytelling, acting, and filmmaking, helmed by Priyakanta Laishram’s vision and talent." It further stated, "Oneness is a bold, pioneering film that pushes the boundaries of Manipuri cinema". Screen Echoes Manipur included his portrayal of Ivan Martin among the "Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema in the Last Decade."

At the Prag Cine Awards 2025, Priyakanta Laishram won Best Director Northeast, In the 17th edition of the Manipur State Film Awards in 2025, presented by the Government of Manipur and the Manipur State Film Development Society, Laishram was conferred with the Special Jury Award for the film. India Today NE stated that Oneness helped bring queer narratives from the margins into the mainstream following its recognition at the Manipur State Film Awards. He won the Best Film Editor Award at the 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards in 2025, marking his first honor in the Best Editing category.

Laishram cited the following when discussing how his entire filmography has shown how he has grown up:"All my films have witnessed how I have grown up. They have given me the voice I never had, the voice suppressed by the general public and the mainstream media, and they helped me to understand others and myself better. The responsibility I feel as a filmmaker today makes me more and more aware of the issues of society, who I am as a person, and what I need to do as a filmmaker."

Priyakanta Laishram has often faced backlash in Manipur for his bold cinematic choices, particularly for films challenging traditional socio-cultural norms. Several reports highlight that his work has drawn trolling, cyberbullying, threats, and calls for bans. Despite these persistent challenges, critics note that Laishram continues to speak through his art with conviction, often becoming a symbol of resistance and courage within a largely conservative cinematic landscape.

Laishram said in an interview with Hindustan Times that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bollywood celebrities' two and a half months of total silence is a very long time and that it is truly very depressing to see how our culture and nation consistently wait for some terrible events to happen before taking a stand for something, even if it means endangering the lives of others. He continued, saying it's awful how the government and the mainstream film industries always ignore what happens in India's northeastern parts but continuously respond to what happens in other foreign countries. He also actively supports children with cancer through volunteer work.

Laishram represented Manipur at the Rainbow Lit Fest in New Delhi in both 2020 and 2023.

Filmography

As a director, producer, writer and editor YearTitleDirectorProducerWriterEditorNoteRef.2009LammuknarureA children's film shot on Nokia N70 mobile phone.

As an actor YearTitleRoleRef.2017I Am SpecialHimself