Work by Meghachandra Kongbam is an authoritative account
Nobody would imagine that Manipur, whose territory is much smaller than any district of Assam or U.P. and with a population of hardly 20 lakh in those days, brought laurels for the country at several national and international film events.
The first Manipuri feature film Matamgi Manipur directed by Debkumar Bose was released on April 9, 1972, and won the national award. This film won the President’s silver medal at the 20th National Film awards.
In 1982, Imagi Ningthem directed by A. Shyam Sharma won the Grand Prix award at the festival of three continents held in Nantes, France, to become the first Indian film to win the prestigious award.
It was the only Indian film invited to the festival. Ishanou (The Chosen One) produced in 1990 and directed by Shyam Sharma was the only official selection for the Cannes Film Festival of 1991.
th/manipur/firsts