Oneness (film)
| Oneness | |
|---|---|
 Oneness - First Poster | |
| Directed by | Priyakanta Laishram |
| Produced by | Roushil Singla Priyakanta Laishram |
| Starring | Maya Choudhury Priyakanta Laishram Suraj Ngashepam Sachinker Sagolsem |
Production company | Priyakanta Productions |
Release date | 17 May 2024 (Mumbai) |
| Country | India |
| Language | Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language) |
Oneness is a 2024 Manipuri movie directed by Priyakanta Laishram. It is the first gay-themed movie of Manipur, Northeast India and the first mainstream Manipuri movie to deal with same-sex relationships and sexual identity.[1] The film stars Maya Choudhury, Priyakanta Laishram, Suraj Ngashepam and Sachinker Sagolsem in the lead roles.[2][3] It is produced by Roushil Singla and Priyakanta Laishram under the banner Priyakanta Productions.[4] The film made its world premiere at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, South Asia's largest queer film festival.[5] Elle (India) ranked the film as one of the top eight,[6] while Mid-Day ranked it as one of the ten films to see at KASHISH 2024.[7] On IMDb, Oneness is ranked number two among the top three Manipuri movies.[8]
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
In December 2021, Priyakanta Laishram had stated that the film is inspired by one of the rare cases of gay honor killing in Northeast India and it took him two years to develop and finalise the script. It was revealed that the film, which would star Maya Choudhury, Priyakanta Laishram, Suraj Ngashepam, and Sachinker Sagolsem in the key roles, will begin production by the end of January 2022.[2]
On The Indian Express, Laishram stated that it took him eight months to find an actor to play a gay character.[1]
In an interview with India Today, Laishram claimed that because the film is based on a true story, he did the most of the research and played a significant role in reconstructing the events.[9]
Speaking on finances, Laishram said on Scroll.in that after two years of struggling to produce Oneness, his partner, Roushil Singla, helped him out financially and that he sincerely shared his idea and was eager to join as one of the producers.[4]
Filming[edit]
The principal photography of the film commenced on 19 January 2022, in Imphal. The movie's production cost 15 lakh Indian rupees.[10]
Laishram stated that his co-star Suraj Ngashepam was reluctant to perform a gay wedding scene because of his macho reputation as a conventional film hero, but that Laishram eventually convinced him.[3]
Post-production[edit]
It was announced that the film would release on 28 October 2023. In August 2023, the makers announced that the film's release date had been postponed due to ethnic violence in Manipur.[11]
World Premiere[edit]
The film made its world premiere on May 17, 2024, in Mumbai at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, which is South Asia's largest queer film festival. [12]
Cast[edit]
- Priyakanta Laishram as Ivan Martin.
- Maya Choudhury as Anna Martin.
- Suraj Ngashepam as Pamheiba Hijam.
- Sachinker Sagolsem as Daniel Martin.
- Ramva Leishangthem as Mersia Martin.
- Harendra Laishram as Peter Martin.
- Rojesh Saikhom as Pastor John.
- Yaiphabi Toijam as Mary D'Souza.[11]
- Taton Sagolsem as Inspector Ton.
- Naorem Naoba Mei as Police Constable.
- Supriya Wangkhem as Pamheiba's mother.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "A Manipur film tackles sexual identity for first time". The Indian Express. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Priyakanta Laishram "ONENESS" is all set to reveal the invisible crime of Gay Honor Killing (Manipur's first Gay themed movie)". India Today NE. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Priyakanta and Suraj: Meet Manipur's first onscreen gay couple". East Mojo. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b "'I knew I wasn't transgender but I had no idea who I was': Manipuri filmmaker Priyakanta Laishram". Scroll.in. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Manipuri film "Oneness" makes historic debut at South Asia's biggest Queer Film Festival". Northeast Now. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "From Kaathal to La Vénus d'Argent, Here Are 8 Films To Watch Out For At The Kashish Pride Film Festival This Year". Elle. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "10 feature films to watch out for at KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024". Mid-Day. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies". East Mojo. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Manipuri Cinema needs content improvement, says state's first gay-themed movie director Priyakanta Laishram". India Today NE. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Making Of 'ONENESS': Manipur's First-Ever Flick On Same-Sex Relationship". The Frontier Manipur. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Release of Manipuri film 'Oneness' postponed due to violence in Manipur". East Mojo. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Priyakanta's 'Oneness' steals spotlight at Pride Film Fest". The Sangai Express. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
