The cast and crew of Oitharei walked the red carpet at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, using the platform to spotlight Manipur’s ongoing conflict and its profound human toll. Their appearance brought global attention to the personal stories often buried beneath the headlines, urging international audiences to understand the lived realities of those affected.

Selected for the Indian Panorama, debutant filmmaker Dinesh Naorem’s 102-minute feature Oitharei (“Save My Soul”) marks a significant milestone for Manipuri cinema. The film ends a seven-year gap since the last Manipuri feature, Eigi Kona (Stallone, My Pony), directed by Maipaksana Haorongbam and Bobby Wahengbam in 2019, was featured at the festival.

A stark and emotional narrative, Oitharei portrays the struggles of a widow navigating trauma amid the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur. The film stands as a powerful reminder that socially committed storytelling continues to thrive in the region, reflecting both the pain and the enduring resilience of its people.