''Nobap'' (

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

: ''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 ' ...

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 Kumheis'', including ''Lidicegee Gulap'', ''Nangna Luhongdringei'' and ''Lambidudei''. In 200 ...

Abenao Elangbam Abenao Elangbam (born 28 September 1986) is an Indian actress working in Manipuri cinema. She has displayed her versatility in acting by taking various roles in Manipuri films. The beginning of her career in films are marked by movies like ''Ch ...

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 a former Indian football player and football pundit, who was the interim manager of Indian Super League club East Bengal for 2021–22 season. He is also the former ...

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) is a public major research university located in New Delhi, India. It was established in 1969 and named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. The university is known for leading faculties and r ...

(JNU),

New Delhi New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House ...

on 13 January 2011.

Synopsis

The movie tells the story of eight kids and is set in a remote village of Manipur. They are in desperate need of a football. Unable to afford one, the boys end up kicking ''Nobap'' instead. Thambou, a driver of an old model jeep shuttles between town areas and the village. The benevolent driver with the help of his friend Thanou sees that the boys get a leather ball and participate in a seven a side football tournament. The film is intercut with humorous romantic interludes - Thambou and Thaja; Thanou and Thoibi.

Cast

* Raju Nong as Thambou *

as Thanou *

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 R. K. Bidur Singh (17 October 1941 – 9 June 2021) was a notable Indian film critic and film society activist from Imphal, Manipur. He won the Best Critic Award at the 56th National Film Awards. He worked as a government employee and retired ...

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 Meitei-language films 2009 films