Aribam Syam Sharma at a felicitation ceremony in Imphal

Imphal, Nov. 8: Film festivals are not new to Aribam Syam Sharma. Neither are awards and critical acclaim. But to have a film directed by him and another based on his life showing at the same venue is certainly a “rare experience”.

When the curtains go up on the International Film Festival of India on November 23 in Goa, the most celebrated man in the Manipuri film fraternity will brace for an experience of a lifetime.

A 26-minute film capturing Sharma’s life and work will be screened in the non-feature film section for the distinguished gathering at the festival.

Shortly afterwards, his latest venture, Guru Thambalngoubi Devi, based on the life and times of the actress who had played the lead role in the first Manipuri film, will be screened for critics.

How exhilarating is it?

“It’s a rare experience. I just want to laugh out. It’s a great moment for Manipuri filmdom,” Sharma told The Telegraph.

The film Aribam Syam Sharma will be screened along side a film on another acclaimed filmmaker, late Hrishikesh Mukherjee, in the non-feature film section of the Indian Panorama.

Directed by his brother-in-law Gurumayuim Nirmal, who closely worked with Sharma, the film is an in-house production of the Programme Production Centre (NE), Guwahati.

Sharma is not a new face in the Indian Panorama section. Several of his documentaries and feature films have been selected for the International Film Festival of India in the past. Moreover, twice he has been chairman of the jury that selects films for the festival.

His Guru Thambalngoubi Devi, a 26-minute documentary, was commissioned by Doordarshan Kendra, Imphal. It narrates the contribution of octogenarian Guru Amubi Devi to Manipuri dance, film and theatre.

“In the Northeast, filmmakers can’t afford to make good quality documentaries due to paucity of funds,” he said.

He hopes that the selection of his film will goad Doordarshan to fund young filmmakers.