Bishesh Huirem

{{Infobox person

| name = Bishesh Huirem

| image = Bishesh Huirem in 2022 at the trailer launch of ONENESS.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Bishesh Huirem at the trailer launch of Oneness

| birth_name =

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Imphal, Manipur{{Cite web|date=2016-09-24|title=Manipuri transgender to represent India at international beauty pageant|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bishesh-huirem-the-transgender-woman-representing-india-in-beauty-contest/story-WjnSPlXqhBp8JOjuxZ0OlL.html|access-date=2022-04-18|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Indian

| occupation = actor, costume designer, fashion designer, model, salonnière

| years_active =

| known_for = * first Indian transgender to represent her country in international beauty pageant

first Indian transgender to be appointed as a state icon in parliamentary elections
first Manipuri transgender to win Best Actor Award

| father = Manglem Huirem

| mother = Khomdonbi Huirem

}}

Bishesh Huirem is an Indian actress and model from the Meitei ethnicity of Manipur. She is best known for being the first Indian to represent India at the Miss International Queen for Transgender 2016 organised in Pattaya, Thailand.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-09|title=Bishesh Huirem becomes first Indian transgender to compete in Miss International Beauty Queen |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bishesh-huirem-becomes-first-indian-transgender-to-compete-in-miss-international-beauty-queen-2997608.html/amp|access-date=2022-04-18|website=Firstpost|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Meet Bishesh Huirem - The first Indian transgender woman at 'Miss International Beauty Queen' contest - SheThePeople TV|url=https://www.shethepeople.tv/news/meet-bishesh-huirem-the-first-indian-transgender-woman-at-miss-international-beauty-queen-contest/|access-date=2022-04-18|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2016-09-15|title=Transgender Actress from Manipur to Represent India at Prestigious Beauty Pageant in Thailand|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/68345/transgender-manipur-bishesh-huirem-thailand/|access-date=2022-04-18|website=The Better India|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2016|title=Manipur beauty who will represent India at world's largest transgender pageant, doesn't have funds to sponsor trip|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/people/story/manipur-actress-transgender-india-bishesh-huirem-lifest-341228-2016-09-15|access-date=2022-04-18|website=India Today|language=en}} She is the first Indian transgender to be appointed as a state icon for the parliamentary polls in the Lok Sabha elections.{{Cite web|title=Transgender 'icon' to educate Manipur voters|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/transgender-icon-to-educate-manipur-voters/cid/1687035|access-date=2022-04-18|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}{{Cite web|title=EC ropes in Manipur LGBT model as State Icon|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/india/ec-ropes-in-manipur-lgbt-model-as-state-icon.html|access-date=2022-04-18|website=The Pioneer|language=en}} She is the first transgender to win the "Best Actor Award" in the 14th Manipur State Film Awards, 2022.{{Cite web|date=2022-04-09|title=Manipur Film Awards: Bishesh Huirem becomes first transgender to win best actor award|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/manipur-film-awards-bishesh-huirem-first-transgender-best-actor-award-7861780/|access-date=2022-04-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Rana|first=Ratika|date=2022-04-11|title=Bishesh Huirem Becomes First Transgender To Win Best Actor In Manipur Film Awards|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/lgbtq/manipur-state-film-awards-34938|access-date=2022-04-18|website=thelogicalindian.com|language=en}} It's Not My Choice directed by Priyakanta Laishram, and Apaiba Leichil directed by Bobby Wahengbam are some of her notable films.

Film career

Bishesh Huirem started her career in Shumang Kumhei, a popular theater form of Manipur.{{Cite news |last=Express |first=The Sangai |date=13 September 2016 |title=Minister's escort 'assault' Shumang Leela artiste |work=E-Pao |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=8..140916.sep16 |access-date=15 April 2023}} Later, she debuted in Manipuri films with 2012 Manipuri feature film Ang Tamo, alongside Kaiku Rajkumar.{{Cite news |last=Adhikarimayum |first=Jolly |date=3 November 2012 |title="Ang Tamo" : A mirror about the life of Nupi Shabis |work=E-Pao |url=http://e-pao.org/erang/Reviews/Ang_Tamo_A_mirror_about_the_life_of_Nupi_Shabis.php |access-date=25 November 2022}}

In 2015, she starred in It's Not My Choice, written and directed by Priyakanta Laishram.{{Cite news |date=7 February 2024 |title=Bishesh Huirem starrer "It's Not My Choice" screened at Rajabhat University, Thailand |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/2/7/IMPHAL-Feb-6The-multiple-award-winning-2015-Manipuri-short-film-It-s-Not-My-Choice-was-screened-at-Rajabha.html |work=The Sangai Express}}{{Cite news |last=Nautiyal |first=Sarah |date=19 August 2024 |title=Like Fireflies In The Endless Dark: Emerging Queer Narratives In The Region Of North East India |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2024/08/19/like-fireflies-in-the-endless-dark-emerging-queer-narratives-in-the-region-of-north-east-india/ |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=Feminism In India}} The critics praised her performance, describing it as the best of her career.{{Cite news |date=6 February 2023 |title=It's Not My Choice: A Film To Endure For Many Years To Come |url=https://signpostnews.com/its-not-my-choice-a-film-to-endure-for-many-years-to-come/ |work=Signpost News}}{{Cite news |last=Atom |first=Sangita |date=25 November 2022 |title=It's Not My Choice : An Impactful Manipuri Film On Transgender Visibility. |work=E-Pao |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.movies.Its_Not_My_Choice_Eina_Khankhiba_Natte_Review_By_Sangita_Atom |access-date=25 November 2022}} The Sangai Express wrote, "Bishesh Huirem, the protagonist, delivers her career's finest performance in this film. Despite her extensive experience in Sumaang Kumhei plays and two feature films, her portrayal of teenager Sanathoi is truly exceptional. Unlike her other movies, where she tends to go overboard, she flawlessly captures the emotions in the most genuine way in this film."{{Cite news |date=2 February 2023 |title=Manipuri film IT'S NOT MY CHOICE triumphs in every aspect |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/2/2/Brainee-HijamThe-2015-Manipuri-short-film-It-s-Not-My-Choice-Eina-Khankhiba-Natte-which-runs-for-14-minu.html |work=The Sangai Express}} She received Special Jury Mention Award for her performance at the 2015 Highland Independent Film Festival in Shimla, and Honourable Mention at the 2017 Riverdale International Short Film Festival. The film became the first Indian film to be adapted into Thai and the first short film from Northeast India to surpass one million views on YouTube.{{Cite news |date=7 February 2023 |title=Thai filmmaker to adapt Manipuri short film 'It's Not My Choice' |url=https://www.eastmojo.com/entertainment/2024/02/07/thai-filmmaker-to-adapt-manipuri-short-film-its-not-my-choice/ |work=East Mojo}}

In 2022, she won Best Actor Award at 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022 for the film Apaiba Leichil, becoming the first transgender actor to win the title.{{Cite web|title=Manipur Film Awards: Bishesh Huirem becomes first transgender to win best actor award|url=https://www.justicenews.co.in/manipur-film-awards-bishesh-huirem-becomes-first-transgender-to-win-best-actor-award/|access-date=2022-04-18|website=justicenews|language=en-US}} She also won Special Jury Award at 5th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards (NE) 2022.{{Cite news |last=Y |first=H |date=4 January 2023 |title=Romi Meitei Wins Best Director, Bishesh Huirem Bags Special Jury Award in 5th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards Award |work=HY News |url=http://hynews.in/article/arts/romi-meitei-wins-best-director-bishesh-huirem-bags-special-jury-award-in-5th-sailadhar-baruah-film-awards-award/3767 |access-date=15 April 2023}}

2016 Apology Demand Incident

On 13 September 2016, Bishesh Huirem was allegedly beaten up by the personal security guards and armed personnel of Rural Development Minister Moirangthem Okendra in Imphal, Manipur.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-17|title=Manipuri transgender actor beaten up by minister's police escorts|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/170916/manipuri-transgender-actor-beaten-up-by-ministers-police-escorts.html|access-date=2022-04-18|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=September 16, 2016|title=Transgender actor thrashed by cops unable to {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|perfrom}} |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/transgender-actor-thrashed-by-cops-unable-to-perfrom/articleshow/54355388.cms|access-date=2022-04-18|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=সংস্থা|first=সংবাদ|title=রূপান্তরকামী মডেলের উপর মন্ত্রীর রক্ষীদের হামলা ইম্ফলে|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/india/transgender-model-from-manipur-attacked-by-minister-s-guards-dgtl-1.479665|access-date=2022-04-18|website=www.anandabazar.com|language=bn}}{{Cite web|last=അക്ഷയ്‌|date=2016-09-17|title=ഭിന്നലിംഗ മോഡലിന് മന്ത്രിയുടെ സുരക്ഷാ സംഘത്തിന്റെ മര്‍ദ്ദനം; മന്ത്രി നോക്കി നിന്നു|url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/news/india/transgender-actress-bishesh-huirem-attacked-by-ministers-man-156352.html|access-date=2022-04-18|website=malayalam.oneindia.com|language=ml}} The incident happened in a road rage at around 10 pm during night.{{Cite web|title=Minister's escort 'assault' Shumang Leela artiste : 14th sep16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=8..140916.sep16|access-date=2022-04-18|website=e-pao.net}}{{Cite web|title=Manipur Shumang Lila artist Huirem Bishesh physically assaulted allegedly by escorts of RD & PR Minister Moirangthem Okendro |url=https://www.impacttv.in/breaking-news/item/783-manipur-shumang-lila-artist-huirem-bishesh-physically-assaulted-allegedly-by-escorts-of-rd-pr-minister-moirangthem-okendro|access-date=2022-04-18|website=www.impacttv.in|language=en-gb}} Consequently, Bishesh protested and served an ultimatum to Minister Okendra to apologize for the incident within seven days or face outcomes. However, the officials of the Minister rejected her claim over the incident. According to them, Bishesh was driving “dead drunk” and was even not able to reverse her car which was blocking the minister's security escorts. Further, the minister's officials said that Bishesh was throwing tantrums claiming she had the right to drive and even attempted to forcibly open the minister's vehicle's door. In response, Bishesh denied all the claims from the minister's officials as "baseless charges". She denied she was drunk. She clarified that she was not even consuming salt and oil in her diet for her hormone therapy in a preparation for a beauty contest. Shocked by the incident, she was hospitalized. The associations and organizations of various artistes banned all mobile theatres, films and music programmes in the Heirok Assembly constituency (Minister Okendra's associated Constituency) until and unless he apologized.{{Cite web|title=Manipuri transgenders demand apology from minister over attack|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/manipuri-transgenders-demand-apology-from-minister-over-attack-296638|access-date=2022-04-18|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2016-09-17|title=Manipuri transgenders demand apology from minister over attack|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/manipuri-transgenders-demand-apology-from-minister-over-attack-116091700294_1.html|access-date=2022-04-18}}