Private Project

Lembi Leima

Surjabala, an NMEO(National Mission on Edible Oil-Palm Oil) consultant, arrives in the remote village of north-east, India to conduct soil testing and submit a report about the feasibility of palm trees cultivation in the area. As a native of the state , Surjabala has an indescribable attachment to Manipur. Her arrival is highly anticipated by Nando, her caretaker and Taibungo, a local with a strong political influence. Naive Nando immediately becomes a fan of Surjabala's persona and way of thinking. Her honesty and progressive mind inspires Nando. This does not sit well with Taibungo, who is restless with Surjabala's eye-opening conversations with the villagers and young boys like Nando, upon whom his plans thrive. Taibungo is eagerly waiting for the report Surjabala is going to prepare, as it will decide the future of palm plantation in the given area and consequently, his business. Over the course of time, conspiracy theories starts evolving, bad omens and fear spreads all around giving rise to prejudice in villagers against Surjabala's occupation in the village. As fear overcomes common sense, the villagers decide to take matters in their own hands against her leading to an unexpected revelation.

  • Mayank Pratap Singh
    Director
  • Mayank Pratap Singh
    Writer
  • Nicky Chandam
    Writer
  • Bijou Thaangjam
    Producer
  • Rj
    Producer
  • Bala Hijam Ningthoujam
    Key Cast
    "Surjabala"
  • Bijou Thaangjam
    Key Cast
    "Nando"
  • Naveen Jagbir Sandhu
    Key Cast
    "Jagbir Singh "
  • Khonykar Khuraijam
    Key Cast
    "Taibungo"
  • Niranjoy Luwangcha
    Key Cast
    "Tomba"
  • Bijou Thaangjam
    Art Director
  • Wortam Mashangva
    Production Design By
  • Premjoy Meitankeishangbam
    Second Unit Assistant
  • Jayjit Sanasam
    Second Unit Assistant
  • H Yaash Raaj Sharma
    Sound Mixer
  • Nazmee Rahman
    Location Sound
  • Arbin Tonjam
    Costume Design by
  • Niranjoy Luwangcha
    Production Manager
  • Leishangthem Bikash
    Drone Operator
  • Brigesh Keisham
    Focus Puller
  • Leishangthem Khanganba
    D.I.T
  • Johnson Meitei
    First Assistant Camera
  • Boicha Soibam
    Best Boy Electric
  • Shyam Lourembam
    Location Manager
  • Nicky Chandam
    Script Supervisor
  • Becker Khaidem
    Production Runner
  • Azhar Khan
    Production Boy
  • Zeedan Ahmed Kori
    Production Boy
  • Tony Thangjam
    Production Boy
  • Tomthin Thokchom
    Production Boy
  • Mayang Mayum Waaris
    Production Boy
  • Shyam Lourembam
    Line Producer
  • Boong Konjengbam
    Special Thanks
  • Irungbam Santa Singh
    Special Thanks
  • Bankim Huidrom
    Special Thanks
  • Malem Yenshembam
    Special Thanks
  • RK Achangba
    Production Designer Assistant
  • Ajit Moirangthem
    Production Designer Assistant
  • Shabad Dayal Turka
    Supervising Producer
  • Surmani Rishi
    Background Music
  • Protim Khaound
    Edited By
  • Kanishka Sharma
    Additional Editor
  • Kanishka Sharma
    DI Colorist
  • Rejoice Singh
    Makeup & Prosthetic Designer
  • Simi Phanjoubam
    Makeup & Prosthetic Designer
  • Hitesh Sharma
    Publicity Designer
  • Arbin Maibam
    Makeup Assistant
  • Ravi B Ranjan Sharma
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    44 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Mayank Pratap Singh

Mayank Pratap Singh is an Indian filmmaker known for films like “Yathaarth” and “Lembi Leima”. A communication design student and a street photographer, Mayank began his journey of storytelling by doing commisioned storyboarding, pitches and assisting whenever necessary in the Film Industry since 2010.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I always wanted to explore the real life perspective of folklore and mythological tales. How their occurence, though simple yet unheard of can consist of the most uncommon happenings. What meets to the eye can only be the partial and incomplete narrative of a tale. That way any story has multiple perspective. We grow up listening to stories with larger then life characters, yet the actuality of it happening in real life is always worth to witness by one’s own eyes. The idea is to bring the story to be seen from all aspects for its truth. The surreal overlapping between real and the divine is the crux of Lembi Leima. It is an account of two sides of a story, a woman presumed as a bad omen for a village and after a night, goddess for the other. It also tells a tale of human greed and perseverance with an ultimate fate.