Bishesh Huirem

Bishesh Huirem is an Indian actress and model from the Meitei ethnicity of Manipur. She is best known for being the first Indian to represent India at the Miss International Queen for Transgender 2016 organised in Pattaya, Thailand.[2][3][4][5] She is the first Indian transgender to be appointed as a state icon for the parliamentary polls in the Lok Sabha elections.[6][7] She is the first transgender to win the "Best Actor Award" in the 14th Manipur State Film Awards, 2022.[8][9] It's Not My Choice directed by Priyakanta Laishram, Apaiba Leichil directed by Bobby Wahengbam are some of her notable films.

Bishesh Huirem
Born
Imphal, Manipur[1]
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)actor, costume designer, fashion designer, model, salonnière
Known for
  • first Indian transgender to represent her country in international beauty pageant
  • first Indian transgender to be appointed as a state icon in parliamentary elections
  • first Manipuri transgender to win Best Actor Award
Parents
  • Manglem Huirem (father)
  • Khomdonbi Huirem (mother)

Film career

Bishesh Huirem started her career in Shumang Kumhei, a popular theater form of Manipur.[10] Later, she debuted in Manipuri films with 2012 Manipuri feature film Ang Tamo, alongside Kaiku Rajkumar.[11]

In 2015, she starred in It's Not My Choice, written and directed by Priyakanta Laishram. The film is cited by the critics as "One of the most impactful Manipuri films on transgender visibility".[12]

In 2022, she won Best Actor Award at 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022 for the film Apaiba Leichil, becoming the first transgender actor to win the title.[13] She also won Special Jury Award at 5th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards (NE) 2022. [14]

2016 Apology Demand Incident

On 13 September 2016, Bishesh Huirem was allegedly beaten up by the personal security guards and armed personnels of Rural Development Minister Moirangthem Okendra in Imphal, Manipur.[15][16][17][18] The incident happened in a road rage at around 10 pm during night.[19][20] Consequently, Bishesh protested and served an ultimatum to Minister Okendra to apologize for the incident within seven days or face outcomes. However, the officials of the Minister rejected her claim over the incident. According to them, Bishesh was driving “dead drunk” and was even not able to reverse her car which was blocking the minister's security escorts. Further, the minister's officials said that Bishesh was throwing tantrums claiming she had the right to drive and even attempted to forcibly open the minister's vehicle's door. In response, Bishesh denied all the claims from the minister's officials as "baseless charges". She denied she was drunk. She clarified that she was not even consuming salt and oil in her diet for her hormone therapy in a preparation for a beauty contest. Shocked by the incident, she was hospitalized. The associations and organizations of various artistes banned all mobile theatres, films and music programmes in the Heirok Assembly constituency (Minister Okendra's associated Constituency) until and unless he apologized.[21][22][23]

Filmography
Year Title Director Studio
2012 Ang Tamo Pilu Heigrujam Pilu Films
2015 It's Not My Choice Priyakanta Laishram Priyakanta Productions
2021 Apaiba Leichil Bobby Wahengbam Third Eye

Selected Shumang Kumhei Plays
  • Border
  • Restafen
  • Pizza
  • Nupigi Thamoi
  • Chagee Khuji
  • Eengengee Nini Panba
  • Inamma
  • Tamphayai
  • Kairaba Chaphu
  • Kunti 4
  • Ishing Chaibi
  • Mou Ahum Ningol Ama
  • Online Da Luhongba
  • Sanagi Thambal
  • Maogi Ibai
  • Nungshi Laman
  • Lipun

References
  1. "Manipuri transgender to represent India at international beauty pageant". Hindustan Times. 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  2. "Bishesh Huirem becomes first Indian transgender to compete in Miss International Beauty Queen". Firstpost. 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  3. "Meet Bishesh Huirem - The first Indian transgender woman at 'Miss International Beauty Queen' contest - SheThePeople TV". Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  4. "Transgender Actress from Manipur to Represent India at Prestigious Beauty Pageant in Thailand". The Better India. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  5. "Manipur beauty who will represent India at world's largest transgender pageant, doesn't have funds to sponsor trip". India Today. September 15, 2016. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  6. "Transgender 'icon' to educate Manipur voters". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  7. "EC ropes in Manipur LGBT model as State Icon". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  8. "Manipur Film Awards: Bishesh Huirem becomes first transgender to win best actor award". The Indian Express. 2022-04-09. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  9. Rana, Ratika (2022-04-11). "Bishesh Huirem Becomes First Transgender To Win Best Actor In Manipur Film Awards". thelogicalindian.com. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  10. Express, The Sangai (13 September 2016). "Minister's escort 'assault' Shumang Leela artiste". E-Pao. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  11. Adhikarimayum, Jolly (3 November 2012). ""Ang Tamo" : A mirror about the life of Nupi Shabis". E-Pao. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  12. Atom, Sangita (25 November 2022). "It's Not My Choice : An Impactful Manipuri Film On Transgender Visibility". E-Pao. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  13. "Manipur Film Awards: Bishesh Huirem becomes first transgender to win best actor award". justicenews. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  14. Y, H (4 January 2023). "Romi Meitei Wins Best Director, Bishesh Huirem Bags Special Jury Award in 5th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards Award". HY News. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  15. "Manipuri transgender actor beaten up by minister's police escorts". Deccan Chronicle. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  16. "Transgender actor thrashed by cops unable to perfrom". The Times of India. September 16, 2016. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  17. সংস্থা, সংবাদ. "রূপান্তরকামী মডেলের উপর মন্ত্রীর রক্ষীদের হামলা ইম্ফলে". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  18. അക്ഷയ്‌ (2016-09-17). "ഭിന്നലിംഗ മോഡലിന് മന്ത്രിയുടെ സുരക്ഷാ സംഘത്തിന്റെ മര്‍ദ്ദനം; മന്ത്രി നോക്കി നിന്നു". malayalam.oneindia.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  19. "Minister's escort 'assault' Shumang Leela artiste : 14th sep16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  20. "Manipur Shumang Lila artist Huirem Bishesh physically assaulted allegedly by escorts of RD & PR Minister Moirangthem Okendro". www.impacttv.in. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  21. "Manipuri transgenders demand apology from minister over attack". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  22. "Manipuri transgenders demand apology from minister over attack". Business Standard India. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  23. "Minister's escort 'assault' Shumang Leela artiste : 14th sep16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
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