Manipuri film Phouoibee (The Goddess of Paddy), directed by Rakesh Moirangthem and produced by Suraj Khongbantabam, has been selected for the 18th Habitat Film Festival 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi (May 15–24), adding to an impressive run of national and international festival selections.
The Manipuri feature film Phouoibee (The Goddess of Paddy), produced under the banner of Khongbantabam's Production and directed by Rakesh Moirangthem, has earned yet another prestigious recognition with its official selection for the 18th Habitat Film Festival 2026. The festival is scheduled to be held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, from May 15 to May 24, 2026, further cementing the film's growing stature on the national cinema circuit.
The selection marks a significant milestone not only for the filmmakers behind Phouoibee but also for Manipuri and Northeast Indian cinema as a whole, as the film continues its remarkable journey across some of the most respected film festivals in the country.
A Film Rooted in Tragedy and Social Conscience
Phouoibee, a Meitei language production, draws its narrative from a deeply distressing real-life incident in Manipur — the deliberate setting on fire of harvested paddy left piled up in the fields during harvest season. The film is a powerful appeal to the public to refrain from such acts of destruction, which devastate the livelihoods and mental well-being of farming communities.
At the centre of the story is Iboyaima, a farmer from a remote village whose life is shattered when unknown miscreants destroy his crops. His daughter and brother had placed all their hopes in sharecropping and prayed to Phouoibee — the Meitei goddess of paddy, who represents fertility and prosperity — for a better future. The destruction of their harvest drives Iboyaima into mental despair, illustrating the profound emotional, spiritual, and economic cost of such violence against agrarian communities. The film weaves together social realism and Meitei mythology to reflect on the dignity of farmers and the sacredness of the land.
Director Rakesh Moirangthem described Phouoibee as a deeply personal work inspired by real experiences he witnessed among Manipuri farmers — their hopes for rain, their joy at a growing crop, and their anguish when it is destroyed by criminal acts. Some scenes were deliberately filmed a year apart to authentically capture the seasonal rhythms of harvest, underscoring his commitment to truth and realism in storytelling.
An Impressive Festival Journey
Prior to its selection for the 18th Habitat Film Festival 2026, Phouoibee has already made its presence felt at several prestigious national and international festivals:
· Official Selection – 31st Kolkata International Film Festival, Kolkata, 2025 (Competition on Indian Languages' Film Category)
· Official Selection – 9th International Film Festival 2026, Thrissur, Kerala
· Official Selection – 2nd Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2026, Guwahati, Assam
· Official Selection – 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival 2026, Bengaluru
· Official Selection – International Film Festival Delhi 2026, Delhi
· Jury Special Award – 3rd North East India Film Festival, Manipur, 2026
The film's inclusion in the Competition on Indian Languages' Film Category at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival — one of Asia's most respected film festivals, accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF) — was considered a landmark achievement for Manipuri cinema, signalling a shift toward artistic and critically recognised filmmaking from the region.
The Cast and Creative Team Behind Phouoibee
Phouoibee brings together a talented ensemble of artists and technicians from Manipur. The film features performances by Raju Nong, Y. Kumarjit, Ch. Inaobi, Loitongbam Dorendra, and Sushma Kshetri, with Bloomy Khwairakpam as the child artist. The story has been crafted by Rakesh Moirangthem, Somendro Moirangthem, and Jenish Salam, while the screenplay and dialogues are written by Y. Kumarjit.
Behind the camera, Boong Konjengbam handles cinematography, and Rakesh Moirangthem also serves as editor. The music is composed by Tenao HD, with songs and lyrics by Thokchom Lansana Chanu. Shanti Raj serves as co-producer and handles production design, while the film is produced by Suraj Khongbantabam under Khongbantabam's Production.
Phouoibee and the Rise of Northeast Indian Cinema
The continued success of Phouoibee on the festival circuit reflects a broader and encouraging trend: the increasing recognition of Northeast Indian cinema — particularly Manipuri films — as a powerful voice in India's diverse cinematic landscape. With its blend of cultural depth, mythological resonance, and urgent social commentary, Phouoibee stands as a testament to the artistic ambitions of Manipuri filmmakers who are steadily finding their place on national and international stages.
As the 18th Habitat Film Festival 2026 prepares to open its doors in New Delhi, audiences will have the opportunity to witness Phouoibee (The Goddess of Paddy) — a film that speaks not only to the people of Manipur but to all who believe in the dignity of labour, the sanctity of the land, and the need for compassion in a shared society.
