Manipur’s tribal Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Zo community celebrated Independence Day by screening Bollywood blockbusters Sholay, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Uri: The Surgical Strike at a makeshift open-air theatre in Churachandpur on 15th August, thereby defying the 23-year-old ‘ban’ on Hindi films imposed by an armed outfit to stall what was then referred to as “the process of Indianisation”.
“This is to show our defiance and opposition,” the Tuithaphai Joint Headquarters of the Hmar Students’ Association said, adding, “We will be declaring our ‘freedom’ from anti-national terror groups.” Incidentally, KKHH was the last Hindi film to be screened in a Manipur theatre 23 years ago.
Lalremsang, executive director of the Association, said, “The main reason behind the ban on Hindi films by militants is that they consider these as ‘foreign films having a bad influence on Mnaipuri culture’. This is a view we do not subscribe to.”