Soma Laishram Explained

Soma Laishram (born 5 January 1992) is an Indian actress and singer who appears in Manipuri films.^[1] She is a native of Imphal, Manipur. Nurei, Hoo Chaage, Loibataare Ta Raju, and Chanu IPS are some of her famous movies. In September 2021, Laishram joined the Republican Party of India - Athawale (RPI-A) and assumed the post of state unit president of its youth girls’ wing.^[2]

Career

Hingbagee Mahao, Nangna Nokpa Yengningi, Nungshi Feijei, Tomthin Shija, Enakta Leiringei, Khurai Angaobi, Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai and Chanu IPS 2 are some of her notable films.

A solo music album Angaoba Malang was also released where she sang in her own voice and acted.^[3] As of 2017, she has acted in a Meitei-Portuguese music video Nura Pakhang (Eu e Tu), directed by Romi Meitei and sung by Mangka Mayanglambam and Manuela Clã.^[4]

Controversy

Following her participation in a fashion show in Delhi as a showstopper, Soma was banned from participating in films and social events for three years by the Imphal-based civil group Kanglei Kanba Lup on 18 September 2023. As a result of the 2023 Manipur violence, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 170 people, the group asserted that Soma's participation went against the widespread request for actors to abstain from such events. ^[5]

Talking about the ban, Soma stated the following:

I strongly oppose this (directive); as an artist and a social influencer, I have every right to speak up wherever I want to and whenever it is needed... I have not done anything against my state and my motherland. ^[6]

On 30 September, Kangleipak Kanba Lup withdrew the ban after acknowledging that it was a mistake to place the ban on Soma Laishram. ^[7]

Accolades

Award	Category	Film
11th Manipur State Film Awards 2018	Best Actor in a Lead Role - Female	Enakta Leiringei	[8] [9]
10th MANIFA 2022	Best Supporting Actor - Female	Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai	[10] [11]

Off-screen work

Laishram was the brand ambassador of Kaizen Sports along with Hamom Sadananda and Oinam Bembem Devi.^[12]

Selected filmography

Year	Film	Role	Director
2010	Phijang Marumda	Linthoi	K. Bimol Sharma
2011	Leima	Mona	Ojitkumar Elangbam
	Loibataare Ta Raju	Soochi	Pilu H.
2012	Ang Tamo	Geeta	Pilu H.
	Hiktharaba Samji (Pizza)	Thoi	Romi Meitei
	Lal Leipakta Laiphao	Leishna	L. Prakash
	Taku Ramthar	Sanarembi	Ojitbabu Ningthoujam
2013	Sanadi Sanani	Thadoi	Homeshwori
	Lanpham (The Endless Destiny)	Laija	Vir Bhadra Yumnam
	Thajagee Maihing	Linthoi	Romi Meitei
	Amamba Sayon	Mary Golson	Johnson Mayanglambam
2014	Hoo Chaage	Mitkhubi	Denny Likmabam
2015	Toro	Toro	Kirmil Soraisam
	Hingbagee Mahao	Mary	Jeetendra Ningomba
	Nangna Nokpa Yengningi	Memi	Ajit Ningthouja
	Nungshi Feijei	Nungshibi	Chou En Lai
2016	Nungshi Feijei 2	Nungshibi	Chou En Lai
	Nanggee Shaktam Nungshiba Helli	Linthoi	O. Gautam
2017	Tomthin Shija	Tomba	Bobby Haobam
	Enakta Leiringei	Thoinu	Manoranjan Longjam
	Echan gi Laidhi	Langlen	Rakesh Moirangthem
	Mitlu	Thadoi	Gyaneshwor Konj
	Akhunba Takhellei	Takhellei	Ojitbabu Ningthoujam
	Kaongamdraba Facebook	Nungshi	AK. Gyaneshori
	Eibu Hingkhora Eibu Sikhrora	Henjathoibi	Tej Salam
2018	Leishabigee Macha	Panthoi	Jeetendra Ningomba
	Nurei	Nurei	Rakesh Moirangthem
	Hiyai	Yoihenbi	Herojit Naoroibam
	Yotpi	Mayolsana	Romi Meitei
	Chanu IPS	Laisna	Sanaton Nongthomba
	Leichilda Pallaba Thaja	Ayingbi	Pilu H.
2019	Kao Phaaba	Leina	Ishomani
	Ningthiba Nonglik	Nonglik	M. Nirmala Chanu
	Khurai Angaobi	Nganthoi	Sudhir Kangjam
	Ningthou	Nungsi	Geet Yumnam
	Chanu IPS 2	Laisna	Sanaton Nongthomba
2021	Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai	Sakhenbi	Homeshwori
	Happugi Mondrang	Sangbannabi	Ojitbabu Ningthoujam
2022	Thang Chani		Bimol Phibou
	Lairembi	Thaba	Sudhir Kangjam
2024	Una Una		Irel Luwang

Notes and References

1. Web site: T-Series to launch talent hunt programme in northeast . easternmirrornagaland.com. 4 February 2020 .
2. News: Manipuri actress Soma Laishram joins RPI-A . 2 October 2021 . The Times of India. 30 September 2021 .
3. Web site: A film star, a model and an upcoming singer Soma Laishram rocks it . manipurtimes.com. 11 October 2013 .
4. Web site: Manipuri folk singer collaborates with Portuguese group for a cause . radioandmusic.com.
5. News: 20 September 2023 . Manipuri film star Soma Laishram banned from films for 3 years . The Hindu . 20 September 2023.
6. News: 20 September 2023 . Did nothing wrong, have every right to speak up: Manipuri actor Soma Laishram on ban by civil society group . The Telegraph . 20 September 2023.
7. News: 1 October 2023 . 3-yr ban on Manipuri actor Laishram lifted . The Times of India . 4 October 2023.
8. Web site: 'Enakta Leirigei' to be awarded best feature film in 11th Manipur State Film Awards . 30 November 2018 . 30 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181130114744/http://www.ifp.co.in/page/items/54111/enakta-leirigei-to-be-awarded-best-feature-film-in-11th-manipur-state-film-awards . dead.
9. Web site: Winners of Film Awards named – Manipur News. 30 November 2018 .
10. Web site: Thouna Film, Film Forum Manipur to hold 10th MANIFA on May 15 . 23 September 2024 . themorningbell.in.
11. Web site: 10th Manipuri Film Awards 2022; Artists Honored In 26 Categories . 23 September 2024 . hynews.in.
12. Web site: Soma Laishram on Instagram: "Dear Friends, I'm proud to announce that I have been chosen as a Brand Ambassador for Kaizen Sports along with Shadananda Hamom and Che…".