The title of producer-director Dinesh Tongbram’s latest film, Nakenthana Ngairi, means “Autumn is Waiting”. But for the Manipuri film industry, the movie’s release on Monday at Usha Cinema was a “symbolic death” of the entire industry.

Tongbram shot the film in 35 mm but had to release it in video format, as no hallowner was willing to screen the movie. This was to be the first video film converted from celluloid in the state.

The story revolves around a rich girl, Bem, and a poor boy, Aya, who fall in love. Bem’s mother rejects the boy though her husband is willing to accept him. The mother gets Bem married to a rich boy, Sobhas.

Sobhas had earlier neglected Bem. She becomes heartbroken and meets with an accident. After becoming mentally ill she is separated from her husband. But Aya still loves Bem and eventually accepts her as his wife.

The main cast includes Amarjeet, Seema, Kaiku, Devita, Biswamitra, Gaitri and Lalit. The music director is Jiten Khaidem.

The film is directed by Dinesh Tongbram, an established name as a Shumang Leela playwright. The film is a sort of commentary on the Manipuri film industry.

The state’s 40-odd cinema houses have been screening only video films since a militant outfit banned Hindi films several years back. The houses also stopped screening English movies. The halls show the video films on screens through a video projector. In the fight for space, video films — mostly in Manipuri language — emerged triumphant.