A still from Pal

Imphal, Oct. 16: A Manipuri feature film, Pal (Barrier), is set to weave silver screen magic across the region.

Vravura Films’ debut production will storm cinemas in other states of the Northeast next year with producer Sunita K. and director Ningthouja Lancha planning to dub the film in the major languages of the region like Assamese, Nagamese, Khasi and Kokborok and subtitle it in other languages.

The shooting will start in the first week of February and the release target is in the middle of next year. “We are negotiating with film people in other states of the Northeast and if all goes well, the new film will be screened in cinemas of the Northeast,” Lancha told The Telegraph.

He said Assamese singer Zubeen Garg had agreed to sing at least two songs in the film when the dubbing is done in Assamese.

“Our plan is to dub the film in all major languages and subtitle it in languages of the Northeast. This is to take Manipuri films to other parts of the region,” Lancha said. Manipuri films have a limited audience as these are only confined to the state.

Sunita said, “I have been outside the state for quite some time and have always thought of taking Manipuri films outside the state. I established Vravura Films with the hope of turning my dream into reality.”

Pal will be shot in digital format. Manipuri cinemas have been screening only digital Manipuri films since Hindi films were banned more than a decade ago. Hall owners also stopped screening English movies as they changed the projectors from celluloid to digital. Manipur has more than 40 cinemas.

Pal is a romantic film, a love triangle. It will depict the inner conflict of the protagonist, a former militant, played by well-known singer and actor Haomam Sadananda. His love interest will be played by popular Manipuri actress Hijam Bala. She will play the role of a divorcee.

This is Lancha’s third directorial venture. His first feature film, Mami Sami (Blurred Shadow), 2008, got rave reviews. The film depicts the crisis in the state due to armed conflict and how it traumatises people.

His second venture, Mapi Lairik, also a full-length feature film which focuses on child labour in the state, is ready for release.

In 1995, Lancha had directed and edited Anadrita, a three-part documentary series in Assamese under the commissioned category of Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati.

Speaking of Pal, the director said, “This will be a new challenge for me. To connect my film with audiences of not only Manipur but also other ethnic communities of the Northeast is not an easy task.”