Covid claims doyen of Manipuri film Chand Heisnam

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 26 : One of the flag bearers of Manipuri cinema, Chand Heisnam has become the latest film personality of the State to succumb to COVID -19.
He breathed his last at Advance Hospital this morning after battling the virus for 5 days.
 A resident of Keishamthong Thangjam Leirak, Chand Heisnam was 58 and is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.
Revered as the person who propelled the growth of Manipuri cinema, many condoled his demise.
Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), in its condolence message, remembered Chand Heisnam as a multi-faceted film producer, director, cinematographer, editor, actor and talent-scouter of Manipuri cinema.
Initiated into film-making when he opened a video camera and editing rental named, “Bright Video” at Paona Bazar, Chand mastered cinematography working as an apprentice to Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma, said MSFDS.
Saying that his first video film project as a full-fledged videographer was the popular  “Adungaigi Mashanagum”, the society stated that “Kwa Matap” and “Chakravyuh” are among the other hugely popular video films he produced.
With his experience in storytelling on the video format, he proved that low cost celluloid film production is possible. His first celluloid film production was the box-office hit film “Kanaga Hinghouni”, co-produced by Bright Films and Moirangthem Pramodini. The film not only did well at the box-office but also received critical acclaim at the Manipur State Film Awards, receiving the Best film awards, besides scores of other awards, it added.
Oken Amakcham, an executive board member of MSFDS, described the demise of Chand Heisnam as a big personal loss, having spent his formative film making years with him. He remembered Chand as a sincere, artistic, humorous person who was passionate about filmmaking.
Another eminent filmmaker, Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma said the film community of Manipur has lost one of its important members.
“Besides making films, he was always keen to introduce new talents in his productions. His talent-hunt event, the Dawn series is his vision of offering platforms to new talents to enter the world of Manipuri cinema. Cinestars like Gokul, Tonthoi and many others were spotted through it” said Surjakanta.
Sharing the grief of the bereaved family, MSFDS termed the sad demise of Chand Heisnam as a huge loss for Manipuri Cinema.
In recognition of his outstanding and pioneering contribution to the growth of Manipuri cinema, he was felicitated with a brass memento and a citation at the inauguration of the year long Golden Jubilee celebration of Manipuri Cinema, held in April, 2021.
As a mark of respect and homage to the departed storyteller, candles were lit at the Manipuri Cinema Memorial at MSFDS complex.
With Chand Heisnam, the film community has lost 11 of its personalities since the onset of Covid second wave.
Nokphade Cultural Foundation, IPAK Films Production Manipur, Cine Directors Guild Manipur and Cine Artistes & Technicians Association Manipur too mourned the demise of Chand Heisnam.