Soma Laishram
Soma Laishram | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 January 1992 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, Singer |
Soma Laishram (born 5 January 1992) is an Indian actress and singer who appears in Manipuri films.[1] She is a native of Imphal, Manipur. Nurei, Hoo Chaage, Loibataare Ta Raju, and Chanu IPS are some of her famous movies. In September 2021, Laishram joined the Republican Party of India - Athawale (RPI-A) and assumed the post of state unit president of its youth girls’ wing.[2]
Career[edit]
Hingbagee Mahao, Nangna Nokpa Yengningi, Nungshi Feijei, Tomthin Shija, Enakta Leiringei, Khurai Angaobi, Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai and Chanu IPS 2 are some of her notable films.
A solo music album Angaoba Malang was also released where she sang in her own voice and acted.[3] As of 2017, she has acted in a Meitei-Portuguese music video Nura Pakhang (Eu e Tu), directed by Romi Meitei and sung by Mangka Mayanglambam and Manuela Clã.[4]
Controversy[edit]
Following her participation in a fashion show in Delhi as a showstopper, Soma was banned from participating in films and social events for three years by the Imphal-based civil group Kanglei Kanba Lup on September 18, 2023. As a result of the 2023 Manipur violence, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 170 people, the group asserted that Soma's participation went against the widespread request for actors to abstain from such events. [5]
Talking about the ban, Soma stated the following:
I strongly oppose this (directive); as an artist and a social influencer, I have every right to speak up wherever I want to and whenever it is needed... I have not done anything against my state and my motherland. [6]
Priyakanta Laishram, a Manipuri filmmaker and actor, spoke out in favour of all Manipur's artists and denounced the ban placed on Soma Laishram. Opposing the ban on Soma, Priyakanta stated that Manipuri artists have tried their best to bring about some reforms and normalcy in the state of Manipur by using any platforms they have to voice their opinions and doing what they can to help the displaced, raise money, or provide clothes and food. This is true despite the fact that Manipuri artists have suffered the most from the war as all forms of entertainment have been stopped and put on hold ever since the war started. [7]
On September 30, Kangleipak Kanba Lup withdrew the ban after acknowledging that it was a mistake to place the ban on Soma Laishram. [8]
Accolades[edit]
Laishram won the Best Actor Award - Female for her role Thoinu in the film Enakta Leiringei at the 11th Manipuri State Film Awards 2018.[9][10] She won the Best Supporting Actor - Female award at the 10th MANIFA 2022 for her role in the film Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai.
Off-screen work[edit]
Laishram was the brand ambassador of Kaizen Sports along with Hamom Sadananda and Oinam Bembem Devi.[11]
Selected filmography[edit]
| Year | Film | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Phijang Marumda | Linthoi | K. Bimol Sharma |
| 2011 | Leima | Mona | Ojitkumar Elangbam |
| Loibataare Ta Raju | Soochi | Pilu H. | |
| 2012 | Ang Tamo | Geeta | Pilu H. |
| Hiktharaba Samji (Pizza) | Thoi | Romi Meitei | |
| 2013 | Lal Leipakta Laiphao | Leishna | L. Prakash |
| Lanpham (The Endless Destiny) | Laija | Vir Bhadra Yumnam | |
| Thajagee Maihing | Linthoi | Romi Meitei | |
| Amamba Sayon | Mary Golson | Johnson Mayanglambam | |
| 2014 | Hoo Chaage | Mitkhubi | Denny Likmabam |
| 2015 | Toro | Toro | Kirmil Soraisam |
| Hingbagee Mahao | Mary | Jeetendra Ningomba | |
| Nangna Nokpa Yengningi | Memi | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| Nungshi Feijei | Nungshibi | Chou En Lai | |
| 2016 | Nungshi Feijei 2 | Nungshibi | Chou En Lai |
| Nanggee Shaktam Nungshiba Helli | Linthoi | O. Gautam | |
| 2017 | Tomthin Shija | Tomba | Bobby Haobam |
| Enakta Leiringei | Thoinu | Manoranjan Longjam | |
| Echan gi Laidhi | Langlen | Rakesh Moirangthem | |
| Mitlu | Thadoi | Gyaneshwor Konj | |
| Akhunba Takhellei | Takhellei | Ojitbabu Ningthoujam | |
| Kaongamdraba Facebook | Nungshi | AK. Gyaneshori | |
| Eibu Hingkhora Eibu Sikhrora | Henjathoibi | Tej Salam | |
| 2018 | Leishabigee Macha | Panthoi | Jeetendra Ningomba |
| Nurei | Nurei | Rakesh Moirangthem | |
| Hiyai | Yoihenbi | Herojit Naoroibam | |
| Yotpi | Mayolsana | Romi Meitei | |
| Chanu IPS | Laisna | Sanaton Nongthomba | |
| Leichilda Pallaba Thaja | Ayingbi | Pilu H. | |
| 2019 | Kao Phaaba | Leina | Ishomani |
| Ningthiba Nonglik | Nonglik | M. Nirmala Chanu | |
| Khurai Angaobi | Nganthoi | Sudhir Kangjam | |
| Ningthou | Nungsi | Geet Yumnam | |
| Chanu IPS 2 | Laisna | Sanaton Nongthomba | |
| 2021 | Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai | Thabatombi's mother | Homeshwori |
| Happugi Mondrang | Sangbannabi | Ojitbabu Ningthoujam | |
| 2022 | Thang Chani | Bimol Phibou | |
| Lairembi | Sudhir Kangjam |
References[edit]
- ^ "T-Series to launch talent hunt programme in northeast". easternmirrornagaland.com.
- ^ "Manipuri actress Soma Laishram joins RPI-A". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ "A film star, a model and an upcoming singer Soma Laishram rocks it". manipurtimes.com.
- ^ "Manipuri folk singer collaborates with Portuguese group for a cause". www.radioandmusic.com.
- ^ "Manipuri film star Soma Laishram banned from films for 3 years". The Hindu. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Did nothing wrong, have every right to speak up: Manipuri actor Soma Laishram on ban by civil society group". The Telegraph Online. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Manipuri filmmaker Priyakanta Laishram condemns ban on actress Soma Laishram". East Mojo. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "3-yr ban on Manipuri actor Laishram lifted". The Times Of India. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "'Enakta Leirigei' to be awarded best feature film in 11th Manipur State Film Awards". Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ "Winners of Film Awards named – Manipur News".
- ^ "Soma Laishram on Instagram: "Dear Friends, I'm proud to announce that I have been chosen as a Brand Ambassador for Kaizen Sports along with Shadananda Hamom and Che…"".