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][2] He started his career in Manipuri cinema as an editor and later took up direction since more than a decade.[3] 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.[4][5] Gautam[6] has worked under eminent film personalities like Aribam Syam Sharma and Oken Amakcham.[7] He had been a Jury Member of Indian Panorama for 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014.

Career

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.

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.

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.[8][9] It also participated in Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2020, 18th International Dhaka Film Festival and 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai.

Accolades

Gautam's 2011 film Phijigee Mani won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 59th National Film Awards.[10] 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.

He earned an award when Pankhei bagged the Special Jury award in the Manipur State Film Awards 2016.[11] He won the Best Screenplay and Best Direction awards for his work in the film Aruba Echel in the Manipur State Film Awards 2018.[12] 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.

Filmography

Year Title Role ______________Notes_______________
2002 Lammei Chief assistant director First Manipuri video film to have a theatrical screening.
2003 Cheina Chief assistant director Celluloid film.
Leichildagee Urok Director, editor A romance drama.
2004 Nangi Shaktam Director, editor A romance drama produced by Homen RK for Treasure Island.
2005 Laibakki Chandan Director, editor A multi-starrer musical film.
2006 Khongthang-gi Makhol Director, editor A love triangle movie produced under the banner of Eastern Movies.
Radha-Rani Director Crime and courtroom drama.
2007 Naoshum Director Screened at the First Festival of Manipuri Cinema 2007.
Rajarshi Bhagyachandra of Manipur Assistant director Selected for Indian Panorama of International Film Festival of India 2007 in the non-feature section.
2008 Ei Ngaode Director A movie about a mentally different guy.
Crossroads Chief assistant director, editor A movie on a group of friends and their aspirations to establish a rock band in Manipur.
Keishamthong Thoibi Director Based on the famous Shumang Kumhei of the same title.
Uoo Thambal Director A love triangle film.
2010 Nangdi Eigi Thawaini Director, editor A film which promotes widespread use of solar energy.
2011 Phijigee Mani Director, editor Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 59th National Film Awards. Selected for Indian Panorama 2011. Selected for Northeast package and screened in IFFI 2014.
Miraang Chief assistant director, editor Based on Arambam Samarendra's play of the same title.
2012 Leipaklei Chief assistant director, editor Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 60th National Film Awards.
Manipuri Pony Assistant director, editor National Film Award for Best Exploration/Adventure Film (Including sports) at the 60th National Film Awards.
Manipur Express Director A romance action thriller.
2013 Dasha Chief assistant director, editor Based on Arambam Samarendra's play of the same title.
Beragee Bomb Director, editor A comedy genre movie.
2014 Eidee Kadaida Director, editor A movie about an ill-fated lady Lakhi and her struggle for existence.
2015 Pankhei Director Special Jury award at the Manipur State Film Awards 2016.
2016 Moreh Maru Director A comedy genre movie and sequel to the 2013 film Beragee Bomb.
Nanggee Shaktam Nungshiba Helli Director Best Feature Film Award at the 6th SSS MANIFA 2017.
2018 Aruba Echel Director, screenplay Best Director and Best Screenplay awards at the Manipur State Film Awards 2018.
2019 Pandam Amada Director, editor Participated in 18th Dhaka International Film Festival, 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival. Official selection in Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2020.
2021 Nungshi Lottery Phaorehe Director, screenplay A production of Mashu Maben Films.
2022 Nongallamdaishida Director Based on the Shumang Leela of the same title.

References

  1. ^ "50 years of Manipuri cinema: Award-winning films screened at Imphal".
  2. ^ "Marketing is one of the biggest hurdles for Manipuri films". www.deccanherald.com.
  3. ^ "3rd day Report of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema 2021". e-pao.net.
  4. ^ "Two Manipuri films selected for Indian Panorama of IFFI 2020". Hindustan Times. December 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "24 feature films to be screened at 42nd IFFI". www.news18.com. October 19, 2011.
  6. ^ "Oinam Gautam Singh: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | eTimes". timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  7. ^ "Better focus on pre-production suggested for growth of Manipuri cinema : 17th apr21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  8. ^ "List of nominees 9th Manipur Film Awards MANIFA 2020". e-pao.net.
  9. ^ "Nominees out for 9th MANIFA 2020". www.thesangaiexpress.com.
  10. ^ "59th National Film Awards 2011: Phijigee Mani bags best regional film award : 08th mar12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  11. ^ "9th & 10th Manipur Film Awards presented". The People's Chronicle.
  12. ^ 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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