The film focuses on the life of polo player in Manipur, which is considered as the Mecca of polo and where many polo players and fans congregate
TFM Desk
Award winning Manipuri film Eigi Kona (English: Stallone, My Pony) will be screened at Ottawa Indian Film Festival on June 24.
The 90-minute long film directed by Bobby Wahengbam, Maipaksana Haorongbam had won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 67th National Film Awards. S. Shaolin, who plays the role of Thawai, had won the Best Child Artist award at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020.
The film was produced by Dr K. Sushila Devi, under the banner of Luwang Apokpa Mamikol Productions.
The film focuses on the life of a polo player in Manipur, which is considered as the Mecca of polo and where many polo players and fans congregate. The players and their ponies, however, lead a miserable life due to poverty and loss of livelihood.
Speaking to The Frontier Manipur, one of the directors, Bobby Wahengbam said that he and Maipaksana are working on two separate projects. It will be finished once the pandemic subsides, he added.
Bobby further shared that at present there is no immediate plan to send Eigi Kona to any film festivals. The film will have its theatrical show in Imphal, when the pandemic subsides, and then take a call on whether to release it on OTT platforms or not, he said. Bobby also informed that the film has not earned much apart from the prize money from the National Film award.
It may be noted that The Ottawa Indian Film Festival Awards (oiffa) is devoted to cultivating an audience for Indian cinema and culture in Ottawa. It showcases Indian films, supporst Indian filmmakers, recognises various performers and business executives, and promotes the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.
Eigi Kona (English: Stallone, My Pony) film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound in 2019. It was selected for Indian Panorama of the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2020. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 67th National Film Awards.
Storyline of the film is that Thawai, a young boy, loves to play Polo riding Stallone, a pony. Like him, Stallone is a descendant of the horse his famous grandfather rode on playing polo. Again, like him, horses are in shabby positions for want of food and shelter. His father can’t help but to sell Stallone out of poverty where Thawai becomes sick with pangs of separation from the horse. Unable to see Thawai’s suffering, all including the coach, mentor, and family members try to bring back Stallone. The owner, who used to be a great polo player, finally hands over the pony to Thawai for the love of the game.