Soma Laishram (born 5 January 1992) is an Indian actress and singer who appears in

Manipuri films Manipuri may refer to: * something of, from, or related to: ** the modern-day Indian state of Manipur ** the historical Manipur (princely state) * Manipuri cuisine * Manipuri dance, an Indian classical dance form * Meitei language, the major langu ...

. She is a native of

Imphal Imphal (; , ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. The metropolitan centre of the city contains the ruins of Kangla Palace (officially known as Kangla Fort), the royal seat of the former Kingdom of Manipur, surrounded by a ...

Manipur Manipur () is a state in northeastern India with Imphal as its capital. It borders the Indian states of Assam to the west, Mizoram to the south, and Nagaland to the north and shares the international border with Myanmar, specifically t ...

. ''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.

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. As of 2017, she has acted in a Meitei-Portuguese music video ''

Nura Pakhang (Eu e Tu) Nura Pakhang () is a Meitei- Portuguese bilingual music video. Its song was performed by Manipuri folk musical artist Mangka Mayanglambam and the artists of Portuguese musical band Clã. The music video is directed by Romi Meitei. It was released ...

'', directed by

Romi Meitei Romi Meitei is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Manipuri films. He is a recipient of several awards at film festivals organized in India and abroad, including a National Film Awards, National Film Award. ''Angan ...

and sung by Mangka Mayanglambam and Manuela

Clã Clã is a Portuguese pop rock band of a mixed nature in terms of style, ranging from moments of pure balladry, through jazzy details, to enthusiastic pop songs. Biography The band was formed in November 1992 in the city of Porto, consisting of ...

. Her role as Thoinu in '' Enakta Leiringei'' earned her a place on ''Screen Echoes Manipur’s'' list of the Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema in the Last Decade.

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 3 (three) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 2 and preceding 4, and is the smallest odd prime number and the only prime preceding a square number. It has religious and cultural significance in many societies ...

, 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. 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.''

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

Accolades

Laishram was honoured with different titles at film awards and festivals.

Selected filmography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Laishram, Soma Indian film actresses Living people 1992 births Singers from Manipur Meitei people People from Imphal Actresses from Manipur Actresses in Meitei cinema Indian women playback singers 21st-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian women singers 21st-century Indian singers