Homen D' Wai (''full name:'' Homendro Waikhom, 1970 – 10 July 2021) was an Indian film director, scriptwriter and lyricist from

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 ...

. ''Dr. Yaima'', '' Mittrang Keithel'', '' Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba'', '' Dr. Hemogee Heloi'' and '' VDF Thasana'' were some of the famous movies he directed.

Career

Homen D' Wai started his career in movies under the guidance of K. Ibohal Sharma. He worked as an assistant cinematographer in the 1993 Ibohal Sharma's directorial venture '' Sambal Wangma''. Later, he went on to direct music videos which became hit song numbers of the time. The first feature film directed by him was ''Raja'', a 2003 movie. His 2004 feature ''Dr. Yaima'' became a hit and ran at Friends' Talkies, Paona Bazar successfully for more than 100 days. His movies ''Mr. Lakhipyari'' (2005) and '' Mittrang Keithel'' (2006) had successful theatrical run in Friends' Talkies and Usha Cinema respectively for more than 50 days. He also attempted to re-unite the Manipuris living in the state and Meiteis from states like Assam, Tripura through his films. These efforts could be seen in his movies like ''Nungshibi Ahing'' (2008) and ''Govindagee Sharik Makhol'' (2011). '' Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba'' (2011) and '' Dr. Hemogee Heloi'' (2013) were films of Homen D' Wai which made records in the box office at a time when Manipuri cinema's popularity among the masses slowed down. His last directorial venture was '' Ei Actor Natte'' (2019). Most of his movies were flavoured with comic, humorous elements. But his versatility as a filmmaker could be seen in movies like ''Nungshibi Ahing'' (2008) and '' Kekoo Lotpee'' (2008). The blessing ceremony of a new movie ''Sendoidi Ahing Tumde'' with Homen D' Wai as the director was held in 2021 but he died even before the shooting could commence. He also had plans to make four other movies (''Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba 2'', ''Dr. Hemogee Heloi 2'', ''Khabei Chegap Dot Com'' and ''Phanekse Kanagino'') which he had finished scripting. He died on 10 July 2021, from

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

complications. He was also undergoing dialysis at Shija Hospital, Imphal due to kidney failure.

Accolades

Homen D' Wai received the Best Director, Best Lyricist, Best Screenplay and Best Feature Film awards at the 8th Manipur State Film Festival 2013 for his work in the movie '' Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba''. He also won the Best Lyricist award for a song in the movie '' VDF Thasana'' at the 9th Manipur State Film Awards 2014. His 2019 movie '' Ei Actor Natte'' won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. The citation for the award reads, "''Most of the sequences of the film Ei Actor Natte provide amusement tickling the viewers in an emotional narrative promoting a moral health and invoicing the general interest of cine-goers. With this views, the film has been adjudged for the Award of the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, 2020''".

Filmography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:D' Wai, Homen People from Imphal Meitei people 1970 births 2021 deaths Film directors from Manipur Indian film directors People from Imphal West district Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India