Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU’ recognised as World Classic

Amidst the traumatic, communal crisis that Manipur is currently going through, a Manipuri feature film by Aribam Syam Sharma, ‘ISHANOU’ has be recognised as World Classic.

The film that deals with the Maibi culture of Manipur, starring Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangjam Tomba has been officially selected in the Cannes Classic Section of the Festival de Cannes, France, to be held from 16th May to 27 May 2023.

The Cannes Classic section that Ishanou is selected, comprises restored film classics belonging to the history of cinema and notably to the history of the Festival de Cannes.


Produced in 1990, the 91 minutes’ feature was previously an official selection to the Un Certain Regard section of Festival de Cannes in 1991.

Manipur State Film Development Society, MSFDS initiated the ambitious restoration project of Ishanou in association with Film Heritage Foundation, Mumbai and Aribam Syam Sharma.

Ishanou is only the second celluloid Manipuri feature film that the SN Chand Cine Archive & Museum of MSFDS has digitised and the first film to have been restored.