As the Manipuri community gathers to celebrate its most vibrant festival, Raspurnima, this year’s festivities will be marked by a rare cinematic showcase.
On November 5, the Manipuri Lalitkala Academy in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, will host two special screenings of ‘Nunshipi’ (Pity Women) at 5 pm and 6 pm. The anthology of three short films that tenderly explore the struggles and resilience of Manipuri women.
Directed and written by filmmaker Shuvhashis Sinha, Nunshipi brings together three stories: ‘Inaphi’, ‘Tiras’ and ‘Hunashori’; each portraying a distinct woman’s life marked by labour, loss and quiet courage.
The shorts, produced under the Tahara banner, have already earned accolades across international film festivals, but have remained off commercial release due to festival restrictions. Their return to Manipuri soil, Sinha says, feels like “a homecoming.”
“This is the first time our community will see these stories together,” Sinha noted. “They were made with the people of this land in mind, so bringing them to Raspurnima feels especially meaningful.”
The films feature Jyoti Sinha in the lead, alongside Gaurhari Chatterjee, Bidhan Singh, Swarnali Sinha, Samarjit Singh and others.
Behind the scenes, the project brought together a dedicated creative team; producers Uttam Kumar Singh and Sajedul Islam, cinematographer Abid Mallik, art director Sajal Kanti Singh, set designer Sourav Kumar Singh, editor Faisal Nipun and music arranger Sharmila Sinha.
