Bala Hijam

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Bala Hijam



Occupation
Actress



Surja Bala Hijam, (born 9 Jun 1991; at Imphal) better known as Bala Hijam (Meitei pronunciation: /ba-lā hī-jam/), is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films.[1][2][3] She is known for her roles in Boong, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Sanagi Tangbal, Amukta Ani and Inamma.[4][5]

Career

Bala Hijam made her debut at the age of 15 in Oken Amakcham's Tellangga Mamei, through the reference of the cinematographer of the movie Irom Maipak.[6] She started shooting for her Hindi film debut Zindagi on the Rocks, but was left incomplete due to some issues.[7] Her notable role after her first film was in Romi Meitei's Khangdreda Nongdamba, where she played a supporting role alongside Kamala Saikhom. Panthungee Wangmada, directed by Yoimayai Mongsaba and produced under the banner Fly High Films was her first film in a leading role. Among her popular films, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Meerang Mahum, Amukta Ani, Delhi Mellei, Sanagi Tangbal and Thabaton 2 may be mentioned.[8] She played the role of a differently-abled lady in the movie Tamoyaigee Ebecha.

In 2018, she appeared in an educational film Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?.[9] She also featured in the short film Lembi Leima directed by Mayank Pratap Singh in 2022.[10] In 2024, she played the role of Mandakini in Boong, an internationally acclaimed film that had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[11]

Accolades

Bala Hijam was honoured with different titles at several film awards and festivals.

Award Category Film Template:Tooltip
5th RJ Film Vision Special Award 2011 Special Jury Award Template:Dash
8th Manipur State Film Festival 2013 Best Actress Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba
11th Manipur State Film Awards 2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female Chinglen Sana [12][13]
9th MANIFA 2020 Best Actor in a Leading Role - Female Inamma [14]
1st Northeast India International Film Festival 2022, Dimapur Best Actress Lembi Leima [15]
Sitannavasal International Film Festival 2022 [16]
Thilsri International Film Festival 2023, Chennai
Golden Fern Films Award 2023
4th Empty Space International Short Film Festival 2024 [17]

Selected filmography

  • All films are in Meitei unless otherwise noted.
Year Title Role(s) Director(s) Notes Template:Tooltip
2006 Tellangga Mamei Bembem Oken Amakcham Child Artist, Debut film [18]
2009 Khangdreda Nongdamba Bala Romi Meitei [19]
Panthungee Wangmada Linthoi Yoimayai Mongsaba
2010 Imagi Laman Singamdre Niti Romi Meitei [20]
Kadarmapee Nungthil Chaibi L. Prakash [21]
21st Century's Kunti Kethabi Joy Soram [22]
2011 Hanggam Maru Pokkhaibi Mitlaobi L. Surjakanta [23]
Loibataare Ta Raju Molly Pilu H.
Nongmadi Soidana Leina Ishomani
Luhongbagi Ahing Purnima Bijgupta Laishram [24]
Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba Majaru Homen D' Wai Won Best Actress [25]
2012 Taru Tarubi Maktabee Maktabee Tej Kshetri
Thouri Mallu Khoibam Homeshwori
Nongdambada Tanoubi Sanathoi Rajen Leishangthem
Mami Lily Jeetendra Ningomba [26]
Lamjasara Fajarei L. Prakash [27]
Manipur Express Tampha O. Gautam
Lamkhai Thadoi Ningthoukhongjam Medhajeet
2013 Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi Assi Sameer Thahir Malayalam Debut [28][29]
Mounao Thoibi Thoibi Romi Meitei [30]
Thajagee Maihing Thaja [31]
Chow Chow Momo na haobara Shingju Bora na oinambara Nungshitombi RK Jiten [32]
Tamoyaigee Ebecha Ebecha Pilu H. [33]
2014 Sathiba Danger Sakhenbi Ajit Ningthouja [34]
Sanagi Tangbal Lingjelthoibi Bijgupta Laishram [35]
Meerang Mahum Nganthoi Ajit Ningthouja [36]
23rd Century: Ngasigee Matungda Thambal Dinesh Tongbram [37]
Hoo Chaage Leishilembi Denny Likmabam
Amukta Ani Thoibi Romi Meitei [38]
Thabaton 2 Nungsithoi Bijgupta Laishram [39]
Delhi Mellei Mellei Ajit Ningthouja [40]
2015 Toro Thoibi Kirmil Soraisam [41]
Da Lem Sorinchon Hemanta Khuman [42]
Nungshit Mapi Thambal Ajit Ningthouja [43]
Cheikhei Sanatombi Premkumar Paonam [44]
Angangba Mayek (Pizza 2) Thanil Dinesh Tongbram
Eikhoi Pabunggi Engellei Hemanta Khuman [45]
Kum Kang Kum Kabi Chang Tharo Bishwamittra [46]
2016 Moreh Maru Bala O. Gautam [47]
Tharo Thambal Tharo Bijgupta Laishram
Khongfam Tampha Sudhir Kangjam
Sor Usha Ajit Ningthouja [48]
2017 Iche Tampha Thadoi Bijgupta Laishram [49]
Mitlu Thaarlin Gyaneshwor Konj [50]
Mani Mamou Ningthibee Ajit Ningthouja [51]
Mr. Khadang Thadoi Chou En Lai [52]
Chinglen Sana Langlen Bijgupta Laishram Best Actor - Supporting Role [53]
Kaongamdraba Facebook Tampha AK. Gyaneshori
2018 Sanagi Nga Thaja Romi Meitei [54]
Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? Herself Priyakanta Laishram [55]
Ebungee Echal Leibaklei Hemanta Khuman
Nungshibana Loire Sana Sadananda Salam
Chanu IPS Laija Sanaton Nongthomba [56]
Yotpi Yoihenbi Romi Meitei [57]
Pari Imom Sanatombi Bijgupta Laishram [58]
Hidak Tombi Tombi Chou En Lai
2019 Kao Phaaba Matouleibi Ishomani
Ichadi Manini Yaiphabi Geet Yumnam [59]
Inamma Memtombi Homeshwori Won Best Actress at 9th MANIFA 2020 [60]
Namase Chaphu Huranbini Memsana Herojit Naoroibam [61]
Wakchingi Len Yaiphabi Bijgupta Laishram [62]
Mutlamdai Thaomei Thaballei Sudhir Kangjam
Thabaton 3 Nungsithoi Bijgupta Laishram [63]
Chanu IPS 2 Laija Sanaton Nongthomba [64]
Mamal Naidraba Thamoi Nurei Gyanand [65]
Eerei Eethak Krishnakumar Gurumayum [66]
2020 Aronba Wari Mainoubi OC Meira [67]
15 August: A Love Story Krishnand Ningombam
2022 Shamjabee Nungsitombi Premkumar Paonam
Ningol Tarubi L. Surjakanta [68]
Wangma Wangmada Actress Kirmil Soraisam [69]
Lembi Leima Surjabala Mayank Pratap Singh [70][71]
2024 Boong Mandakini Lakshmipriya Devi [72]
Laangoi Henthoi Manoranjan Longjam
2025 Nung Onkhraba Thamoi Thoibi Surjit Khuman
Upcoming Ahingsina Loidringei Thoibi O. Gautam
Leishembi Leishembi Rakesh Moirangthem
Ketukigi Leinam Memthoibi/Memi Gyanand Ksh.

References

  1. ↑ Interview of Bala Hijam, The Reigning Queen of Manipuri Cinema - TheMoviean. The Moviean. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Bridging the Gap: The Need to Elevate Manipuri Cinema on Global Stage. imphalreviews.in.
  3. ↑ From Manipur, stories of the women actors who didn't get to play Mary Kom. The Indian Express(17 August 2014).
  4. ↑ 'Boong' Review: A Small Coming-of-Age Tale on India's Eastern Border Disguises Larger Politics. Variety(16 September 2024). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  5. ↑ When Kerala called Surja Bala Hijam. The New Indian Express(16 July 2013). Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  6. ↑ The Beauty of Manipuri Cinema with a Heart of Gold. NorthEast Feed(28 September 2018). Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Soma Laishram is not at fault. The Hindu(26 September 2023). Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  8. ↑ Interview of Bala Hijam, the reigning queen of Manipuri Cinema. The Moviean. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  9. ↑ 2018 Manipuri film Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup Is No Less Than A Revolution. Imphal Times(16 April 2023). Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  10. ↑ Manipur: After bagging 22 awards, movie to be screened in Imphal. North East Now(8 April 2023). Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  11. ↑ TIFF 2024 | Lakshmipriya Devi: 'My film Boong is the last documentation of the unity Manipur had'. Money Control(15 September 2024). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  12. ↑ 'Enakta Leirigei' to be awarded best feature film in 11th Manipur State Film Awards. ifp.co.in. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  13. ↑ Winners of Film Awards named – Manipur News(30 November 2018). Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  14. ↑ 9th MANIFA winners announced; 'Eikhoisibu Kanano' wins Best Manipuri Feature Film award. Imphal Free Press(13 July 2020). Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  15. ↑ Manipuri Film Lembi Leima won Best Film (Gold) at the 1st Northeast Film Festival, Mumbai 2023. Bollywood Couch(27 March 2023). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  16. ↑ 'Lembi Leima'. The Sangai Express.
  17. ↑ Manipur film "Lembi Leima" shines at International Short Film Festival. nenow.in(17 September 2024).
  18. ↑ Manipuri cinema: Festival and beyond. e-pao.net.
  19. ↑ Making of "Khangdreda Nongdamba" :: Part 1. erang.e-pao.org.
  20. ↑ Premiere of 'Imagi Laman Singamdre' at Bangalore :: 17 October 2010. www.e-pao.net.
  21. ↑ Kamala is all set to hold a special show of her second production christened Kadar Mapi at Bangalore on November 8 and at Imphal on November 4. Times of India(24 October 2010).
  22. ↑ Fish fry for the Manipuri soul. Times of India(25 March 2012).
  23. ↑ Script writer Herojit Naoroibam no more. e-pao.net.
  24. ↑ Film 'Luhongbagi Ahing' released : 04th jun11 ~ E-Pao! Headlines. e-pao.net.
  25. ↑ Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba - You will love it. e-pao.org. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  26. ↑ The Bad Image – Manipuri Feature Film – Mami – Review. kanglaonline.in(17 August 2012).
  27. ↑ 2012: A Good year for Manipur film industries. e-pao.net.
  28. ↑ When Kerala called Surja Bala Hijam. The New Indian Express(16 July 2013). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  29. ↑ Five reasons why we love Dulquer Salmaan. The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  30. ↑ Mouna Khatladi Si Ngaaktani: Observing Manipuri Digital Films. e-pao.org.
  31. ↑ Screening of Thajagi Maihing in Bangalore. e-pao.org.
  32. ↑ Wild Flower performing at promotional show of 'Chow-Chow Momo na haobra, Singju Bora na oinambra" at Jalandhar, Punjab :: 13 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "Bala's new film "Tamoyaigee Ibecha" banned by Film Forum Manipur and MEELAL | Manipur Forum, Community, Discussions, News". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  34. ↑ SATHIBA DANGER PREMIERE SHOW. www.kumhei.com.
  35. ↑ Sanagi Tangbal Premiere Show. www.kumhei.com.
  36. ↑ 'Meerang Mahum' - Scenes / Behind the scenes #2. e-pao.org.
  37. ↑ 23rd CENTURY Ngasigee Matungda - Kumhei.
  38. ↑ 2nd Red carpet event and premiere of Amukta Ani at BOAT - Date: 11th October 2014. e-pao.net.
  39. ↑ Dy CM raises NE Film City in State banner : 06th oct14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines. e-pao.net.
  40. ↑ Movie Review: Moral Lessons from Mellei's Life – KanglaOnline, KanglaOnline(2015-10-27). Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  41. ↑ Toro : Film Release at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) Date : 9th April, 2015. e-pao.net.
  42. ↑ Da Lem : Film released at MFDC Date : 14th February, 2015. e-pao.net.
  43. ↑ NUNGSHIT MAPI. www.kumhei.com(2015-10-13). Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  44. ↑ Cheikhei - Kumhei.
  45. ↑ Eikhoi Pabunggi :: Behind the Scenes - Part 1. e-pao.org.
  46. ↑ Film released. The Sangai Express(2015-12-11).
  47. ↑ "MOREH MARU at BOAT on 27th October 2016"(12 October 2016). Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  48. ↑ "Sor" Manipur Digital Film – Releasing at this Ningol Chakouba. manipurtimes.com(18 October 2016).
  49. ↑ Film released. The Sangai Express(2017-03-06).Template:Dead link
  50. ↑ Mitlu. Focus Films Manipur(2017-10-16).
  51. ↑ Heart-to-heart talk with Ajit Ningthouja : The multi-faceted personality of Manipuri Film industry. e-pao.org.
  52. ↑ Mr Khadang: Love story of a cow lover. The People's Chronicle(29 July 2017). Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  53. ↑ Manipur State Film awards distributed. nenow.in(16 December 2017).
  54. ↑ Cannes Film Festival 2023: Here is the list of NE film personalities attending the coveted event. northeastlivetv.com(17 May 2023).
  55. ↑ Manipuri-English film promoting gender-neutral fashion to be screened in Mumbai. East Mojo(3 October 2023). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  56. ↑ Blessing ceremony for Manipuri film held.
  57. ↑ Jack RK : Hip Hop from Manipur :: A Profile. e-pao.net.
  58. ↑ Scenes from 'Pari Imom' - #1. e-pao.org.
  59. ↑ 9th MANIFA winners announced; 'Eikhoisibu Kanano' wins Best Manipuri Feature Film award. Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  60. ↑ 9th MANIFA winners announced; 'Eikhoisibu Kanano' wins Best Manipuri Feature Film award. Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  61. ↑ Language wise List of the feature films Indian/Foreign - CBFC. www.cbfcindia.gov.in. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  62. ↑ Language wise List of the feature films Indian/Foreign - CBFC. www.cbfcindia.gov.in. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  63. ↑ Court restrains 'Yaipha Thouni Thouram' of Thabaton 4, 5. Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  64. ↑ Manipur Film Journalists body to introduce annual Manipuri Feature Film Award. Northeast Now(9 September 2020).
  65. ↑ Nominees out for 9th MANIFA 2020. The Sangai Express.
  66. ↑ Manipur Film Journalists and Critics Award to be given annually. e-pao.net.
  67. ↑ Events cancelled. The Sangai Express.
  68. ↑ Ningol (2023) - Movie - Book My Show. in.bookmyshow.com.
  69. ↑ "Wangma Wangmada" : Feature Film helds Media Show - Nambol, 17th December 2022. e-pao.net.
  70. ↑ Working in a Manipuri film was a first for me: Bijou Thaangjam. The Times of India(2022-11-26). Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  71. ↑ Lembi Leima (2023): A tale of a brave and honest woman, Journal, North East Film(2023-04-26). Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  72. ↑ Indian director Lakshmipriya Devi's 'Boong' premieres at TIFF(11 September 2024). Retrieved 2024-09-16.

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