Imphal: Tripura’s Kokborok-language feature film Khaani, directed by Ploto Debbarma, was selected for screening at Tribal Frames Manipur 2026, bringing a crime thriller rooted in indigenous storytelling to the festival.
The 135-minute film, produced under the banner of 18 Hills Films, is set in the fictional village of Khumpuimura in Tripura. Its plot follows a newly appointed police officer whose posting takes an unexpected turn after dismembered human body parts are discovered at different locations in the village. The remains are arranged in a manner resembling the iconography associated with the Tripuri deity Baba Garia.
As five policemen investigate the incidents, the village’s peaceful appearance gives way to a series of disturbing revelations. The film combines crime, suspense, humour and social commentary, exploring human behaviour, violence against women and the complexities of relationships.
Festival director Oinam Doren said Khaani carried forward the legacy of Kokborok-language cinema established by Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath’s Yarwng (2008), which won Tripura its first National Film Award.
“Eighteen years later, Ploto Debbarma’s Khaani carries that legacy forward in a completely new form. It is a crime thriller rooted in Tripura, made with great passion and independence. For us at Tribal Frames Manipur, presenting Khaani is not just about screening a film. It is about celebrating a new generation of tribal storytellers who are confident in their own language and their own cinematic voice,” Doren said.
Debbarma has said the film’s title has a personal cultural meaning. The word is associated with Bwkhaani, which means something that comes from the heart, while Khaani refers to someone or something deeply loved. The title reflects the film’s exploration of the people and things individuals value, protect and sometimes lose.
Filmmaking journey shaped by Tripuri folklore
Debbarma, who has a medical background, developed an interest in storytelling during childhood through the Tripuri folktales narrated by his grandmother. He began writing short stories and plays while in school before moving towards screenwriting and filmmaking.
After completing his medical studies, he pursued cinema and gained practical experience through an internship with filmmaker Debarati Gupta on the film Onek Diner Pore. He later directed the short films Jiboner Prarthona and Graveyard of Dreams, which received recognition at film festivals, including the Tagore International Film Festival in Santiniketan and the Booktoux Northeast Film Festival in Imphal.
Khaani is his debut feature film. Debbarma spent around six months developing and finalising its screenplay. His intention was to portray aspects of Tripura’s culture and society that local audiences could relate to but which have received limited representation in mainstream audiovisual productions.
In an interview with a national daily in December 2025, Debbarma spoke about his desire to contribute to the growth of Tripura’s film industry. He recalled hearing negative opinions about filmmaking in the state while growing up and said he wanted to be part of changing that perception.
He also said the crime-comedy thriller format allowed him to entertain audiences while examining human psychology and social behaviour. The film combines elements of tragedy and satire with its thriller narrative.
Khaani’s festival journey
Before its selection for Tribal Frames Manipur 2026, the film was screened at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival in 2025 under the ‘Unheard India: Rare Language Films’ section. It was also screened at the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir in 2026.
The film was released in theatres in Tripura on October 30, 2026. Its release marked the return of a Kokborok-language feature film to commercial theatres in the state after a gap of more than a decade.
The cast includes veteran actor Ruhi Debbarma, Madhusudan Debbarma, Pohar Jamatia, Ajoy Tripura and Hemchandra Tripura. Adwaita Chakma handled cinematography and editing, while Kishan Debbarma, Payal Debbarma, Partha Debbarma and Aditya Modak were associated with the production. Halog Jamatia composed the music, with contributions from local musicians and bands.
The film’s selection at Tribal Frames Manipur 2026 formed part of the festival’s effort to provide a platform for indigenous filmmakers, languages and cultural narratives. Its screenings at film festivals outside Tripura have also taken Kokborok-language storytelling to audiences beyond the state.