''Nobap'' (

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

: ''Pomelo'') is a 2009

Manipuri film The Cinema of Manipur is the film industry based in Manipur, India. It includes not only Meitei language movies but all the films made in different languages of the different communities in Manipur. The Manipuri film industry was born when ''Ma ...

directed by Heisnam Tomba and written and produced by Suresh Hidang. It stars Raju Nong,

Gokul Athokpam Gokul Athokpam is an Indian actor who appears in Manipuri films. In addition to films, he has also worked in theatres, and has acted in many ''Shumang Kumhei Shumang Kumhei (), also known as , is a Meitei traditional form of theatre, usually ...

, Abenao Elangbam and Ranjana with master Denil, master Chingkheinganba, master Santosh, master Oliver Chiru, master Russel, master Robinson, master Biken and master Chingkhei in the lead roles. There is also special appearance of international footballer

Renedy Singh Potsangbam Renedy Singh, simply known as Renedy Singh (born 20 June 1979), is an Indian football coach, former professional football midfilder and football pundit from Manipur. He currently works as an assistant coach of Indian Super League cl ...

in the film. It was the opening film at the 2nd Guwahati Film Festival 2009. ''Nobap'' was also screened at

Jawaharlal Nehru University Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU; ISO: Javāharalāla Neharū Viśvavidyālaya) is a public research university located in Delhi, India. It was established in 1969 and named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. The university ...

(JNU),

New Delhi New Delhi (; ) is the Capital city, capital of India and a part of the Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the Government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Parliament ...

on 13 January 2011.

Plot

Eight boys deprived in all manners possible had spent their time kicking round a grapefruit in the meadows and dusty lanes of their small village. Now, they want to try their luck with a real football. In their quest and efforts to get a football, they find a friend in a lonely soul - the jeep driver whose jeep connects their small village with the outside world. When they do get the football, they find that their real struggle is only just the beginning. The football match becomes their lives' battles.

Cast

* Raju Nong as Thambou *

as Thanou * Abenao Elangbam as Thaja * Ranjana as Thoibi * ''Master'' Denil * ''Master'' Chingkheinganba * ''Master'' Santosh * ''Master'' Oliver Chiru * ''Master'' Russel * ''Master'' Robinson * ''Master'' Biken * ''Master'' Chingkhei * R.K. Sorojini Devi as Thambou's mother * Ayekpam Shanti * Dhonen *

(Special Appearance)

Production

This film is the second production of ''The Second Millennium Mongoloids'' after producing the blockbuster film ''Meera Memcha''.

Accolades

''Nobap'' won 9 awards at the 7th Manipur State Film Festival 2010, including the Best Feature Film award.

Reception

R. K. Bidur Singh wrote in e-pao.org, "Making an enterprising team with Suresh Hidang, producer-writer-lyricist, Y. Kumarjit, screen playwright, Hodam Tommy and K. Boong, cinematographer and editor, O.Geet, music director etc., he comes up with a non-conventional film-Nobap. The plight of rural folks and eight kids in desperate need of football, but unable to afford one, kicking Nobap instead-are all well expressed in a comprehensible visual language. The film is skilfully intercut with humorous romantic interludes-Thambou and Thaja; Thanou and Thoibi.'' Nobap is not a story that somebody tells you just to make you feel sorry for the poor people, it has other meaning and a shot's meaning can go very far beyond the subject. The film would have been better if a few sequences, such as apparent abduction of Thambou and child kidnapping for forced labour had been trimmed. They are neither sensibly treated nor developed as meaningful sub-plot. ★★★ : One for story-screenplay, one for sincerity and realistic attempt at the film making, one for eight frolicsome kids."

Soundtrack

Bishe Moirangthem, Tomba Thangjam and Mangangsana composed the soundtrack for the film and wrote the lyrics. The songs are titled ''Laklo Thadoi Laklo Thoinu'', ''Houda Houjillu Thok a ba Ama Lakchani'' and ''Pallubana Thamoi Ama''.

External links

References

{{Reflist 2000s Meitei-language films 2009 films