Bala Hijam

Bala Hijam
Born
Hijam Surjabala Devi

Sagolband Salam Leikai, Imphal
OccupationActress
Height162 cm (5 ft 4 in)
SpouseNingthoujam Dinesh Singh
Parent(s)Hijam Biramangol
Hijam Suniti Devi

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 Ref.
5th RJ Film Vision Special Award 2011 Special Jury Award  –
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 Ref.
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

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