The Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) has deeply mourned the demise of Padma Shri Thongram Haridas.
Thongram Haridas passed away at his Khagempalli residence on September 15, 2021.
Sharing the grief of the bereaved family, MSFDS described Haridas as an active film promoter, delving in film exhibition, distribution and production, whose passing is an irreversible loss for the entire film community of Manipur.
Thongram Haridas was initiated into the world of cinema when he joined hands with the Laishram family and set up the Friends talkies.
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Subsequently, he split from the partnership and established Usha Cinema on his own in Paona Bazar and did brisk business, becoming one of the most popular cinema halls of Manipur.
Being a lover of motion pictures, Haridas wanted to establish the best cinema hall in Manipur.
This motive led him to visit the best cinema halls of India and eventually established the Asha and the Jina Talkies in Imphal.
Besides being a film exhibitor, Haridas was also a successful English film distributor, distributing films of 20th Century Fox Pictures, Paramount Pictures and MGM Pictures to the cinema halls in entire Northeast India.
Haridas passion for cinema went beyond exhibition and distribution, stepping into film production as well.
He produced ‘Khuthang Lamjel’, scripted & directed by GC Tongbra in 1979. Incidentally, Haridas, in an interview to Doordarshan kendra Imphal, claimed he made substantial financial contributions for the completion of the
“Brojendrogee Luhongba,” the first Manipuri feature film by a Manipuri director, namely SN Chand.
“In honour of the departed soul, 2-minute silence was observed at 5:30 pm, followed by a candlelight vigil at the Monolith of Manipuri Cinema at MSFDS complex, Konung Mamang, Imphal,” said Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, secretary, MSFDS.