Oinam Gautam Singh

Oinam Gautam Singh
O. Gautam addressing a press conference during 42nd IFFI 2011
Born(1977-10-12)12 October 1977
Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Leikai, Imphal West, Manipur
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Director, Editor, Screenplay Writer
Years active2002-present
SpouseLenabati Phanjoubam
ChildrenNingthoungamba Oinam
Parent(s)Oinam Leirenjao Singh
Oinam Ongbi Radhe Devi
AwardsNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri (2011)

Oinam Gautam Singh (popularly known as O. Gautam) is an Indian film director and editor who works in Manipuri films.[1] He started his career in Manipuri cinema as an editor and later took up direction since more than a decade.[2] One of the successful filmmakers in Manipuri Cinema, he is the recipient of many awards, including a National Film Award for his 2011 movie Phijigee Mani.[3][4] Gautam[5] has worked under eminent film personalities like Aribam Syam Sharma and Oken Amakcham.[6] He had been a Jury Member of Indian Panorama for 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014.

Career

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Gautam started working as a chief assistant director under Oken Amakcham in the 2002 Lammei, the first video film to have a commercial screening at a theatre, and in the 2003 movie Cheina, a celluloid film. He set out to work independently as a director in films like Leichildagee Urok and Nangi Shaktam. His film Naoshum was among the feature films screened at the 1st Festival of Manipuri Cinema 2007, organised by Film Forum Manipur. Under Aribam Syam Sharma, he had worked in films Rajarshi Bhagyachandra of Manipur, Crossroads, Miraang, Leipaklei, Manipuri Pony and Dasha.[7]

He had also tried hands on a musical film Laibakki Chandan. His directorial venture Nangdi Eigi Thawaini is produced by Kangla Films, Manipur under the aegis of MANIREDA. The movie focusses on viability of the use of renewable solar energy as a substitute for the commercial energy sources. Gautam's 2011 film Phijigee Mani earned him a National Film Award. His 2013 movie Beragee Bomb and its sequel Moreh Maru displayed his capability on successful direction of comedy genre films. His movies Naoshum and Manipur Express became hit films when it was released in theatres.[8][9]

His 2015 film Pankhei, which is based on insurgency and various socio-political chaos in Manipur, is a woman centric movie with Sukanya Haorongbam playing the lead role. In 2019, he directed Pandam Amada which bagged several awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Festival 2020.[10][11] It also participated in Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2020, 18th International Dhaka Film Festival and 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai.[12][13][14]

Accolades

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Gautam's 2011 film Phijigee Mani won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 59th National Film Awards.[15] The citation for the National Award reads, "For a sensitive depiction of the complex displacements that are occurring today in the North Eastern states. The director shows in the most graceful manner the consequences of displaced socio-political priorities which dislodge the young and disturb traditional family moorings and the even more ancient tribal societal systems". Phijigee Mani also participated in Indian Panorama 2011. It was selected in the North East package and screened in IFFI 2014.[citation needed]

He earned an award when Pankhei bagged the Special Jury award in the Manipur State Film Awards 2016.[16] He won the Best Screenplay and Best Direction awards for his work in the film Aruba Echel in the Manipur State Film Awards 2018.[17] His 2019 film Pandam Amada won the Best Children Film, Best Feature Film and several other awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. He also won the Best Director award for the film.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Studio (Production House)
2002 Lammei Chief assistant director Kangla Films, Manipur
2003 Cheina Chief assistant director Dashu Films
Leichildagee Urok Director, editor Treasure Island
2004 Nangi Shaktam Director, editor Treasure Island
2005 Laibakki Chandan Director, editor Leichal Films
2006 Khongthang-gi Makhol Director, editor Eastern Movies
Radha-Rani Director Pilu Films
2007 Naoshum Director Sushima Films
Rajarshi Bhagyachandra of Manipur Assistant director Films Division of India
2008 Ei Ngaode Director Peace Films
Crossroads Chief assistant director, editor Aribam Syam Sharma Productions
Keishamthong Thoibi Director Diana Films
Uoo Thambal Director Seven Salai Films
2010 Nangdi Eigi Thawaini Director, editor Kangla Films, Manipur
2011 Phijigee Mani Director, editor Radha Govind Films
Miraang Chief assistant director, editor Aribam Syam Sharma Productions
2012 Leipaklei Chief assistant director, editor Aribam Syam Sharma Productions
Manipuri Pony Assistant director, editor Films Division of India
Manipur Express Director Green Chillies
2013 Dasha Chief assistant director, editor Aribam Syam Sharma Productions
Beragee Bomb Director, editor Chingkhurakpa Art
2014 Eidee Kadaida Director, editor Nilahari Films
2015 Pankhei Director Nongja Films
2016 Moreh Maru Director RT Motion Pictures
Nanggee Shaktam Nungshiba Helli Director Green Chillies
2018 Aruba Echel Director, screenplay Khunaillon Films
2019 Pandam Amada Director, editor Takhel Films
2021 Nungshi Lottery Phaorehe Director, screenplay Mashu Maben Films
2022 Nongallamdaisida Director, screenplay NB Poireicha Films

References

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  1. ^ "Marketing is one of the biggest hurdles for Manipuri films". www.deccanherald.com.
  2. ^ "3rd day Report of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema 2021". e-pao.net.
  3. ^ "Two Manipuri films selected for Indian Panorama of IFFI 2020". Hindustan Times. 20 December 2020.
  4. ^ "24 feature films to be screened at 42nd IFFI". www.news18.com. 19 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Oinam Gautam Singh: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | eTimes". timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  6. ^ "Better focus on pre-production suggested for growth of Manipuri cinema : 17th apr21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  7. ^ "Leipaklei to be screened on inaugural day at 5th Guwahati Film Festival 2012". e-pao.net. The Telegraph.
  8. ^ Dr. M. Nawaz Khan. "Growth of Manipuri Digital Films". e-pao.net.
  9. ^ Khan, M. Nawaz (30 June 2014). "Growth of Manipuri Digital Films". Communication Today.
  10. ^ "List of nominees 9th Manipur Film Awards MANIFA 2020". e-pao.net.
  11. ^ "Nominees out for 9th MANIFA 2020". www.thesangaiexpress.com.
  12. ^ "Manipuri film 'Pandam Amada' to premiere at Dhaka film fest". North East Now. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Manipuri film Pandam Amada selected for Asian Festival". The News Mill. 12 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Manipur film fraternity shocked over exclusion of Manipuri cinema in IFFI". United News of India. 15 November 2019.
  15. ^ "59th National Film Awards 2011: Phijigee Mani bags best regional film award : 08th mar12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  16. ^ "9th & 10th Manipur Film Awards presented". The People's Chronicle.
  17. ^ The Sangai Express. "Yengkhom Roma awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at 13th Mami Numit - April 10, 2019 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)". e-pao.net.
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