Oinam Gautam Singh

{{Short description|Indian film director}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Oinam Gautam Singh

| image = The Director of the Manipuri film “Phijigee Mani”, O. Gautam Singh addressing a press conference, during the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2011), in Panaji, Goa on December 01, 2011 (cropped).jpg

| caption = O. Gautam addressing a press conference during 42nd IFFI 2011

| birth_name =

| education =

| occupation = Director, Editor, Screenplay Writer

| years active = 2002-present

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1977|10|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Leikai, Imphal West, Manipur

| parents = Oinam Leirenjao Singh
Oinam Ongbi Radhe Devi

| spouse = Lenabati Phanjoubam

| nationality = Indian

| children = Ningthoungamba Oinam

| awards = National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri (2011)

}}

Oinam Gautam Singh (popularly known as O. Gautam) is an Indian film director and editor who works in Manipuri films.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/241393/marketing-one-biggest-hurdles-manipuri.html|title=Marketing is one of the biggest hurdles for Manipuri films|website=www.deccanherald.com}} He started his career in Manipuri cinema as an editor and later took up direction since more than a decade.{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.movies.3rd_day_Report_of_Golden_Jubilee_Celebration_of_Manipuri_Cinema_2021|title=3rd day Report of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema 2021|website=e-pao.net}} One of the successful filmmakers in Manipuri Cinema, he is the recipient of many awards, including a National Film Award for his 2011 movie Phijigee Mani.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-manipuri-films-selected-for-indian-panorama-of-iffi-2020/story-KSifBvZqfEC5IvaOX7WQrL.html|title=Two Manipuri films selected for Indian Panorama of IFFI 2020|date=20 December 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/24-feature-films-to-be-screened-at-42nd-iffi-410952.html|title=24 feature films to be screened at 42nd IFFI|date=19 October 2011|website=www.news18.com}} Gautam{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Oinam-Gautam-Singh|title=Oinam Gautam Singh: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | eTimes|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}} has worked under eminent film personalities like Aribam Syam Sharma and Oken Amakcham.{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=9..170421.apr21|title=Better focus on pre-production suggested for growth of Manipuri cinema : 17th apr21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|website=e-pao.net}} He had been a Jury Member of Indian Panorama for 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014.

Career

Gautam started working as a chief assistant director under Oken Amakcham in the 2002 Lammei, the first video film to have a commercial screening at a theatre, and in the 2003 movie Cheina, a celluloid film. He set out to work independently as a director in films like Leichildagee Urok and Nangi Shaktam. His film Naoshum was among the feature films screened at the 1st Festival of Manipuri Cinema 2007, organised by Film Forum Manipur. Under Aribam Syam Sharma, he had worked in films Rajarshi Bhagyachandra of Manipur, Crossroads, Miraang, Leipaklei, Manipuri Pony and Dasha.{{cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.News_Links.News_Links_2012.Leipaklei_to_be_screened_on_inaugural_day_at_5th_Guwahati_Film_Festival_2012_20121209|title=Leipaklei to be screened on inaugural day at 5th Guwahati Film Festival 2012|website=e-pao.net|publisher=The Telegraph}}

He had also tried hands on a musical film Laibakki Chandan. His directorial venture Nangdi Eigi Thawaini is produced by Kangla Films, Manipur under the aegis of MANIREDA. The movie focusses on viability of the use of renewable solar energy as a substitute for the commercial energy sources. Gautam's 2011 film Phijigee Mani earned him a National Film Award. His 2013 movie Beragee Bomb and its sequel Moreh Maru displayed his capability on successful direction of comedy genre films. His movies Naoshum and Manipur Express became hit films when it was released in theatres.{{Cite web|url=https://communicationtoday.net/2014/06/30/growth-of-manipuri-digital-films/|title=Growth of Manipuri Digital Films|author=Dr. M. Nawaz Khan|website=e-pao.net}}{{Cite web|url=https://communicationtoday.net/2014/06/30/growth-of-manipuri-digital-films/|title=Growth of Manipuri Digital Films|date=30 June 2014|work=Communication Today|first=M. Nawaz|last=Khan}}

His 2015 film Pankhei, which is based on insurgency and various socio-political chaos in Manipur, is a woman centric movie with Sukanya Haorongbam playing the lead role. In 2019, he directed Pandam Amada which bagged several awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Festival 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.movies.List_of_nominees_9th_Manipur_Film_Awards_MANIFA_2020|title=List of nominees 9th Manipur Film Awards MANIFA 2020|website=e-pao.net}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/2/16/IMPHAL-Feb-16-List-of-the-nominees-for-the-9th-Manipur-Film-Awards-MANIFA-2020-is-out-Including-two-tribal-dialect-films-a-total-of-19-films-will-be-competing-for-the-MANIFA-2020-awards-.html|title=Nominees out for 9th MANIFA 2020|website=www.thesangaiexpress.com}} It also participated in Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2020, 18th International Dhaka Film Festival and 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai.{{Cite web|url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipuri-film-pandam-amada-to-premiere-at-dhaka-film-fest.html|title=Manipuri film 'Pandam Amada' to premiere at Dhaka film fest|website=North East Now|access-date=8 October 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://thenewsmill.com/manipuri-film-pandan-selected-for-asian-festival/|title=Manipuri film Pandam Amada selected for Asian Festival|website=The News Mill|date=12 December 2019}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.uniindia.com/manipur-film-fraternity-shocked-over-exclusion-of-manipuri-cinema-in-iffi/east/news/1790689.html|title=Manipur film fraternity shocked over exclusion of Manipuri cinema in IFFI|website=United News of India|date=15 November 2019}}

Accolades

Gautam's 2011 film Phijigee Mani won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 59th National Film Awards.{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..080312.mar12|title=59th National Film Awards 2011: Phijigee Mani bags best regional film award : 08th mar12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|website=e-pao.net}} The citation for the National Award reads, "For a sensitive depiction of the complex displacements that are occurring today in the North Eastern states. The director shows in the most graceful manner the consequences of displaced socio-political priorities which dislodge the young and disturb traditional family moorings and the even more ancient tribal societal systems". Phijigee Mani also participated in Indian Panorama 2011. It was selected in the North East package and screened in IFFI 2014.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

He earned an award when Pankhei bagged the Special Jury award in the Manipur State Film Awards 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepeopleschronicle.in/daily/english/793|title=9th & 10th Manipur Film Awards presented|newspaper=The People's Chronicle}} He won the Best Screenplay and Best Direction awards for his work in the film Aruba Echel in the Manipur State Film Awards 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.Top_Stories.Top_Stories_2019.Yengkhom_Roma_awarded_Lifetime_Achievement_Award_at_13th_Mami_Numit_20190411|title=Yengkhom Roma awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at 13th Mami Numit - April 10, 2019 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)|author=The Sangai Express|website=e-pao.net}} His 2019 film Pandam Amada won the Best Children Film, Best Feature Film and several other awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. He also won the Best Director award for the film.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

Filmography

class="wikitable"

! Year !! Title !! Role !! Studio (Production House)

2002LammeiChief assistant directorKangla Films, Manipur
rowspan="2"|2003CheinaChief assistant directorDashu Films
Leichildagee UrokDirector, editorTreasure Island
2004Nangi ShaktamDirector, editorTreasure Island
2005Laibakki ChandanDirector, editorLeichal Films
rowspan="2"|2006Khongthang-gi MakholDirector, editorEastern Movies
Radha-RaniDirectorPilu Films
rowspan="2"|2007NaoshumDirectorSushima Films
Rajarshi Bhagyachandra of ManipurAssistant directorFilms Division of India
rowspan="3"|2008Ei NgaodeDirectorPeace Films
CrossroadsChief assistant director, editorAribam Syam Sharma Productions
Keishamthong ThoibiDirectorDiana Films
2009Uoo ThambalDirectorSeven Salai Films
2010Nangdi Eigi ThawainiDirector, editorKangla Films, Manipur
rowspan="2"|2011Phijigee ManiDirector, editorRadha Govind Films
MiraangChief assistant director, editorAribam Syam Sharma Productions
rowspan="3"|2012LeipakleiChief assistant director, editorAribam Syam Sharma Productions
Manipuri PonyAssistant director, editorFilms Division of India
Manipur ExpressDirectorGreen Chillies
rowspan="2"|2013DashaChief assistant director, editorAribam Syam Sharma Productions
Beragee BombDirector, editorChingkhurakpa Art
2014Eidee KadaidaDirector, editorNilahari Films
2015PankheiDirectorNongja Films
rowspan="2"|2016Moreh MaruDirectorRT Motion Pictures
Nanggee Shaktam Nungshiba HelliDirectorGreen Chillies
2018Aruba EchelDirector, screenplayKhunaillon Films
2019Pandam AmadaDirector, editorTakhel Films
2021Nungshi Lottery PhaoreheDirector, screenplayMashu Maben Films
2022NongallamdaisidaDirector, screenplayNB Poireicha Films

References

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