Josh high as Hindi film Uri screens in Manipur on Independence Day

Hindi films not banned in the state: Manipur Govt clarifies, says "Rcoketry" screened on Aug 20

Every time Vicky Kaushal came on screen and thundered, “How’s the Josh?”, the close to 1000 strong crowd present at the HSA complex in Churachandpur, Manipur, roared back almost in unison, ‘High Sir!’.

The josh was really high, as if a rush of adrenaline for the almost 1000 strong crowd, as old and young, men and women alike, thronged the Hmar Students Association (HSA) Complex to watch the Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam starrer Hindi film, Uri – The Surgical Strike.

The movie was released way back in 2019. But it is only now, 4 years later that the people of Churachandpur had the pleasure and opportunity of watching the movie in a big screen because there is a ban on the screening of Hindi films in Manipur imposed by an outfit .

The HSA Complex, situated on Rengkai Road of Churanchadpur, 63 kms from Imphal, is the size of 3-4 lawn tennis courts, was choc-a-bloc because it was after almost 26 years that a Hindi film was being screened for the public in an open space free of cost.

“We are happy. The cinema halls which have been shut down will reopen. Screening of movies will encourage shooting of films. We the public receive this development with joy and excitement and look for to more such screenings frequently,” said one of the locals of Churachandpur.

It was in 1997-98 that Hindi films were banned from being screened across Manipur after violence broke out in the state. In 2000, the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front, political wing of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army, officially banned the screening of Hindi movies in Manipur.

However, the Manipur government has not put any ban on the screening of Hindi films in the state.

Clarifying its stand, the Manipur government in a statement dated August 17, 2023 said, “Although, Hindi films are not banned in the State, they are not screened regularly in cinema theatres which is not under purview of the Government. But Hindi films are still aired on various satellite and TV channels on a daily basis. Besides, the Hindi movie “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” was screened on 20^th August, 2022 at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society which was witnessed by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, his Council of Ministers, MLAs and many Government officials.”

Uri: The Surgical Strike, inspired by the 2016 surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army, was screened in Churachandpur as part of the 77th Independence Day celebrations.

Uri: The Surgical Strike, inspired by the 2016 surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army, was screened in Churachandpur as part of the 77th Independence Day celebrations. The screening was organised by the Hmar Students Association (HSA) to register its strong discontent and opposition to the ban imposed by the RPF.

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