Oneness (film)

Oneness is a 2024 Manipuri movie directed by Priyakanta Laishram. It is the first gay-themed movie of Manipur, Northeast India and the first mainstream Manipuri movie to deal with same-sex relationships and sexual identity. The film stars Maya Choudhury, Priyakanta Laishram, Suraj Ngashepam and Sachinker Sagolsem in the lead roles. It is produced by Roushil Singla and Priyakanta Laishram under the banner Priyakanta Productions. The film made its world premiere at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, South Asia's largest queer film festival. Elle (India) ranked the film as one of the top eight, while Mid-Day ranked it as one of the ten films to see at KASHISH 2024. On IMDb, Oneness is ranked number two among the top three Manipuri movies.

Development
In December 2021, Priyakanta Laishram had stated that the film is inspired by one of the rare cases of gay honor killing in Northeast India and it took him two years to develop and finalise the script. It was revealed that the film, which would star Maya Choudhury, Priyakanta Laishram, Suraj Ngashepam, and Sachinker Sagolsem in the key roles, will begin production by the end of January 2022.

On The Indian Express, Laishram stated that it took him eight months to find an actor to play a gay character.

In an interview with India Today, Laishram claimed that because the film is based on a true story, he did the most of the research and played a significant role in reconstructing the events.

Speaking on finances, Laishram said on Scroll.in that after two years of struggling to produce Oneness, his partner, Roushil Singla, helped him out financially and that he sincerely shared his idea and was eager to join as one of the producers.

Filming
The principal photography of the film commenced on 19 January 2022, in Imphal. The movie's production cost 15 lakh Indian rupees.

Laishram stated that his co-star Suraj Ngashepam was reluctant to perform a gay wedding scene because of his macho reputation as a conventional film hero, but that Laishram eventually convinced him.

Post-production
It was announced that the film would release on 28 October 2023. In August 2023, the makers announced that the film's release date had been postponed due to ethnic violence in Manipur.

World Premiere
The film made its world premiere on May 17, 2024, in Mumbai at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, which is South Asia's largest queer film festival.

Cast

 * Priyakanta Laishram as Ivan Martin.
 * Maya Choudhury as Anna Martin.
 * Suraj Ngashepam as Pamheiba Hijam.
 * Sachinker Sagolsem as Daniel Martin.
 * Ramva Leishangthem as Mersia Martin.
 * Harendra Laishram as Peter Martin.
 * Rojesh Saikhom as Pastor John.
 * Yaiphabi Toijam as Mary D'Souza.
 * Taton Sagolsem as Inspector Ton.
 * Naorem Naoba Mei as Police Constable.
 * Supriya Wangkhem as Pamheiba's mother.