Aribam Syam Sharma's Olangthagee Wangmadasu

By: Akee Sorok *

I have always thought that Aribam Syam Sharma makes film based on the neo-realism but when I watch Olangthagee Wangmadasu (see another review here ) I saw another side of Aribam Syam Sharma.

A scene from Olangthagee Wangmadasu

I swear to myself on how I have been so naïve about Aribam Syam Sharma that I donot know that he has also made a musical in his journey of film making, being a ardent fan of Aribam Syam Sharma I should have known that but I didnt!

Should I blame the man himself or the Film Society in Manipur that they don't screen such movie to the people or myself that I have never went out and do a bit research on him which I should be doing but I didnt, hoping that somehow I will come to know that. Here is my heartfelt sorry to the legend.

I watched the film along with my mom and I love how she narrated some interesting things during the screening of the film which then encouraged me to write about the film, Olangthagee Wangmadasu, another amazing screenplay by MK Binodini who also penned Imagi Ningthem and Eshanou, indeed a masterpiece which has been neglected by the every section of the people.

The film starts with the then "Poster Boy" K. Tomba (my mom tell me how people used to gather around his locality to get a glimpse of him) on stage humming to one of the perfect piece by Aheibam Shyam Sharma.

The first thought that came to my mind was - Did Aribam Syam Sharma venture into 'total Bombay Cinema style' but as I proceeded I felt relieved that the film was 'total musical' based on the musician and singer which ends in some unexpected way a 'total Aribam Syam Sharma' signature.

I don't believe in writing all about the film i.e. story, plot and telling everything’s etc, so I won't be writing about the story line but will be talking about style of film making and editing point of view.

I have always loved the way Aribam Syam Sharma starts his films, the kind of motif he used in films is very good, those people who have seen Imagi Ningthem can relate to the love-making scene in the film.

The motorcade shot he had done while filming the song in scooter is perfect - maybe we can say that it is one of the first track shot in Manipuri cinema, and the emotion he had captured between Tomba and Roma is so exotic I somehow wondered whether they were acting or not.

Above all, the film is one of the good film I had seen last week. I can also point out some 'wrong side' of the film but I prefer not to say as I need to see the full film in good condition.

And to those people who resides around Pune and Mumbai, let us watch it all together in NFAI by paying Rs. 1500 maximum for hiring. Hope that people will come forward for it.

And lastly, to the Film Industry people in Manipur, please do something about the Classic films, other then pouring lakh of money into some Film Festival in Manipur. Let us make Manipuri film a better one for everyone around the world.