‘Laangoi’, ‘Oitharei’ and ‘Una Una’ Dominate 17th Manipur State Film Awards 2025

Imphal, May 29: Feature films Laangoi, Oitharei and Una Una emerged as the biggest winners at the 17th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA) 2025, sweeping several major honours during the award presentation ceremony held at the Palace Auditorium of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal, on Friday.

Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla graced the ceremony as chief guest and conferred the MSFDS Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 on noted academician and film personality Dr. Arambam Lokendra for his contributions to the aesthetic and intellectual development of Manipuri cinema.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Art & Culture and Tourism Minister Kh. Loken Singh also attended the programme organised by the Manipur State Film Development Society. The official award catalogue of the 17th MSFA was also released during the event.

Among the top honours in the feature film category, Laangoi, directed by Manoranjan Longjam and produced by Asem Nawang and Amarjit Sanasam, won the Best Feature Film award. The film also secured awards for Best Director for Manoranjan Longjam, Best Supporting Actor for G. Bonny Sharma, and Best Editor for Tarun Wang.

Oitharei also had a strong showing at the awards. Directed by Dinesh Naorem, the film won Best Debut Film of a Director. Suraj Ngasepam received the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) award for his performance in the film, while Lambamayum Premchan won Best Original Screenplay Writer and Raju Mutum secured the award for Best Music Director (Background Score).

Una Una won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film also earned multiple technical and music honours, including Best Cinematographer for Regan Kh., Best Costume Designer for Galif Pa, Best Music Director (Songs) for Tony Aheibam, Best Lyricist for Ashok Kumar Moirangthem and Lambamayum Premchan for the song Matam, and Best Playback Singer awards for Arbin Soibam and Pushparani Huidrom.

Actress Narmada Sougaijam won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) award for Sunita. The film also secured awards for Best Art Designer for Puinabati Thongam, Best Audiographer for Abhilekh Boruah, Best Sound Designer for Nabapan Deka, and Best Make-Up Artist for Dabo Wangkheimayum.

Priyakanta Laishram’s Oneness received the Special Jury Award in the feature film category, while Maya Choudhury won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the same film.

In the non-feature category, The Legacy of 4 Generations, directed by Thiyam Debendra and produced by Maibam Brojeshwori, received the Special Jury Award. The Silent Performer, directed by Huidrom Rakash and produced by N. Laxmi Devi, received the Special Jury Mention.

Ashangbam Netrajit was honoured with the Best Film Critic award in the Writing on Manipuri Cinema category.

During the ceremony, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said cinema serves as a powerful medium to preserve collective memory and cultural identity while reflecting the aspirations and experiences of society. He encouraged young filmmakers to continue creating authentic stories rooted in Manipuri culture while embracing innovation and new cinematic forms.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh praised filmmakers, writers and film societies for preserving Manipuri traditions and indigenous values through cinema. He also referred to the international recognition received by Boong at the BAFTA Children & Family Awards and expressed confidence that Manipuri cinema would continue expanding its presence nationally and internationally.

The awards carried a total prize amount of Rs 11.70 lakh across feature films, non-feature films, writing and lifetime achievement categories.

Complete List of Winners – 17th MSFA 2025

Feature Film Awards

Best Feature Film – Laangoi

Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Una Una

Best Debut Director – Dinesh Naorem (Oitharei)

Best Director – Manoranjan Longjam (Laangoi)

Best Art Designer – Puinabati Thongam (Sunita)

Best Original Screenplay – Lambamayum Premchan (Oitharei)

Best Adapted Screenplay – Priyobrata Kshetrimayum (Mangalsana)

Best Actor (Male) – Suraj Ngasepam (Oitharei)

Best Actor (Female) – Narmada Sougaijam (Sunita)

Best Supporting Actor – G. Bonny Sharma (Laangoi)

Best Supporting Actress – Maya Choudhury (Oneness)

Best Child Artist – Alka Thongam (Naitom Satpi)

Best Cinematographer – Regan Kh. (Una Una)

Best Audiographer – Abhilekh Boruah (Sunita)

Best Sound Designer – Nabapan Deka (Sunita)

Best Choreographer – Quintan Mayengbam (Langdai Ama)

Best Editor – Tarun Wang (Laangoi)

Best VFX Supervisor – Mahindra Ch. (Langdai Ama)

Best Make-Up Artist – Dabo Wangkheimayum (Sunita)

Best Costume Designer – Galif Pa (Una Una)

Best Music Director (Songs) – Tony Aheibam (Una Una)

Best Music Director (Background Score) – Raju Mutum (Oitharei)

Best Lyricist – Ashok Kumar Moirangthem and Lambamayum Premchan (Matam, Una Una)

Best Playback Singer (Male) – Arbin Soibam

Best Playback Singer (Female) – Pushparani Huidrom

Special Jury Award – Oneness

Non-Feature Awards

Special Jury Award – The Legacy of 4 Generations

Special Jury Mention – The Silent Performer

Writing on Manipuri Cinema

Best Film Critic – Ashangbam Netrajit

Lifetime Achievement

MSFDS Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Arambam Lokendra