Ever since the trailer of Mary Kom, a biopic of India' s most successful female boxer, was released last month, people in her home state of Manipur have been discussing it avidly. “Why does Priyanka Chopra instead of a northeasterner play Mary Kom?” some have asked. Observed others, “Mary Kom doesn’t speak such fluent Hindi!” After the release of the tune Chaoro (Lori) from the film on August 13, the debate has got even more intense. Many wanted to know why Meiteilon is used in the lyrics rather than the boxer’s own dialect.
Some of these objections seem premature, especially those relating to Kom being portrayed by a north Indian actress, Priyanka Chopra. In Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film Gandhi, the main character is played by a mixed-race British actor, Ben Kingsley. Despite this, the film was a success. The question of who plays the character seems to be less important than how well it is played.
For all the discussion, Mary Kom’s family and other people in Manipur will probably not be able to go to the theatres to watch the biopic about the state’s most celebrated resident when it is released across the country on September 5. Hindi films have been banned in the states since September 2000 by insurgents of the Manipur's Revolutionary Peoples Front. The restriction on Bollywood films movies and Hindi television shows was in keeping with their attempt to ban the use of the Hindi language in the state. Some believe that the ban is justified because Bollywood is part of the “Indianisation” and “Hinduising” project of the “Indian mainland”.
The sudden withdrawal of Hindi films left theatres in Manipur vacant. But not for long. As digital technology became much more accessible, a new whole film industry with new styles, techniques and storylines sprang up. Manipur now produces an estimated 80 films a year. Mami Sami by Ningthouja Lancha in 2008 is widely held to be one of the best Manipuri films ever made. Phijigee Mani by O.Gautam won two national awards in 2011. Bala Hijam is not just the most popular face in Manipur, she has also worked in Bollywood and Malayalam films.
This is not to suggest that the imposition of the ban is not disturbing. No matter how much films can influence or adulterate other cultures, it’s unacceptable for a few people or a group to act with such impunity to impose their wishes on a whole state. Ordinary people should also have their say in what culture and art they wish to consume.
Though Mary Kom has asked the authorities to allow the film to be screened, it’s unlikely that the insurgents will allow this to happen. But this film has renewed the debate in Manipur about the wisdom and morality of the ban.
Some of these objections seem premature, especially those relating to Kom being portrayed by a north Indian actress, Priyanka Chopra. In Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film Gandhi, the main character is played by a mixed-race British actor, Ben Kingsley. Despite this, the film was a success. The question of who plays the character seems to be less important than how well it is played.
For all the discussion, Mary Kom’s family and other people in Manipur will probably not be able to go to the theatres to watch the biopic about the state’s most celebrated resident when it is released across the country on September 5. Hindi films have been banned in the states since September 2000 by insurgents of the Manipur's Revolutionary Peoples Front. The restriction on Bollywood films movies and Hindi television shows was in keeping with their attempt to ban the use of the Hindi language in the state. Some believe that the ban is justified because Bollywood is part of the “Indianisation” and “Hinduising” project of the “Indian mainland”.
The sudden withdrawal of Hindi films left theatres in Manipur vacant. But not for long. As digital technology became much more accessible, a new whole film industry with new styles, techniques and storylines sprang up. Manipur now produces an estimated 80 films a year. Mami Sami by Ningthouja Lancha in 2008 is widely held to be one of the best Manipuri films ever made. Phijigee Mani by O.Gautam won two national awards in 2011. Bala Hijam is not just the most popular face in Manipur, she has also worked in Bollywood and Malayalam films.
This is not to suggest that the imposition of the ban is not disturbing. No matter how much films can influence or adulterate other cultures, it’s unacceptable for a few people or a group to act with such impunity to impose their wishes on a whole state. Ordinary people should also have their say in what culture and art they wish to consume.
Though Mary Kom has asked the authorities to allow the film to be screened, it’s unlikely that the insurgents will allow this to happen. But this film has renewed the debate in Manipur about the wisdom and morality of the ban.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!