First Thadou-Kuki Feature Filim: Popy. Released in Manipur

[Guest guest]

Enjoy reading a brief story of a very popular Thadou-Kuki feature

film " POPPY " , currently shown in Imphal City. FIRST FEATURE FILM.

The story of the Film Poppy originates from the plant known as poppy

(opium). That was believed to be a plant bearing a beautiful flower

but.......... Later on, the plant is discovered to be the source of

amost all the harmful narcotic drugs............

Moreh (an International Border between India and Myanmar) is one of

the routes used for smuggling narcotic drugs out of Golden Triangles.

Hawlthong, the notorious drug smuggler's hoodlums are stationed at

Moreh to rob their counterparts of the drugs/contraband goods coming

from the source.

The drugs that Hawlthong and gangs intercept at Moreh are sent to the

outside Manipur through their business partners/concerned VIP's who

are the best carrier of Hawlthong's drugs to Delhi and other cities

in India. Besides, the concerned police in-charge of check posts are

at hawlthong's pay-rolls.

That SP Siethang who is a dedicated Police Officer is made in charge

of SP/NAB CELL to contain drug smuggling. And also his son Lenboi

who is the leader of the NGO SEEDS (Social, Environmental and

educational Development Services) and his members are on the war

front to check the infiltration of drugs into the localities and

educational institutions and also to rehabilitate the drug addicts.

In doing so, SP Siethang and family come into a serious conflict

with the notorious smugglers Hawlthong King and his hoodlums.

The SEEDS believes that drug addiction which is taking toll of many

precious lives is no respecter of persons. So members belonging to

different communities/disciplines, irrespective of caste or creed are

joining the SEEDS, Besides, Dr. Leima, a Medical Officer is on

deputation to the SEEDS Rehabilitation Centre. While working

together, all the members come to understand the values of human

beings and also the concept of co-existence, of which, love is placed

above religion and different social backgrounds.

The MOTTO of the NGO is to motivate and treat the drug addicts in the

Rehabilitation Centre as human beings and to develop their will-power

to overcome the drug addiction at the early stage. In doing so, a

college boy namely, Hminga has given up drug addiction for the love

of Sennu, Lenboi's sister.

However the dreaded diseases of HIV+/AIDS are incurable so far. In

this respect, Kumar's mother comes to know the kind of disease that

her son is suffering, yet she is indepted to the NGO SEF-DS for the

human cares given to her son. Here, what the SEEDS is trying to prove

is to prolong the life span of the affected persons, namely, Kumar nd

others in the Rehabilitation Centre by means of human cares with

healthy diet through awareness process.

As the awareness campaign gains momentum, the drug dealers/peddlers/

smugglers have lost their markets. So Hawlthong King and members are

determined to wipe out SP Siethang and his son Lenboi, the leader of

the SEEDS. Hawithong is so notorious that he does not hesitate to

eliminate even his own man, Paobul in-charge of Moreh station. Evil

leads to another evil that Hawlthong is arrested by the Police while

he is trying to rape and strangle Paobul's wife, Vahboi.

However, Hawlthong King again escapes from the prison. As a result, SP

Siethang who is on the way to Molhoi Function as the Chief Guest is

assassinated. The way the crimes committed by Hawithong and his

assassins become personal. Lenboi's hope, though a dedicated Social

Worker is shattered.

In the meantime, on hearing the assassination of SP Siethang,

Lenboi's childhood friend, and her family come from Kohima,

Nagaland to share the grief with Lenboi and sister, Senriu. While

with the family, feels that her dreams come true as all the

unforgettable memories of their childhood love comes back lingering

in her heart. Whereas Lenboi who is already in love with Dr. Leima

treats as one of his best childhood friends.

Gradually, comes to know that Lenboi belongs to Dr. Leima

so she is broken hearted. She goes to Church and prays to God for

forgiveness of her self-love saying that Lenboi is innocent and that

God should bless her love with a happy married life.

A misfortune comes again that Sennu is wounded by and party

while they are searching for Lenboi. Lenboi feels now that as his

life becomes uncertain, he wants Dr. Leima to forget their love.The

more the boy pleads forforgiveness the more the love of Dr. Leima is

intensified.

At this critical juncture, Dr. Leima's parents are also deadly

against the love affairs of their daughter with Lenboi who belongs to

another caste. At the same time the boy is a Christian and the girl a

Hindu and both of them having different social backgrounds.

Consequently, the notorious smuggler and his hoodlums are becoming

not only a threat to the society but also a personal challenge to

Lenboi and family. Now that the tragedy of Lenboi's family reaches

beyond the limit of human tolerance. He also feels worthless now

thinking that he is incapable of avenging the death of his father.

Since he feels that his family has nowhere to turn to, he takes up

arms against his personal enemy.

THEMES:

1. With will power, a drug addict can overcome drug addiction at an

early stage.

2. An addict affected with HIV+/AIDS who is sure to die till medical

scientist find a remedy, needs human care during a short span of his

life.

3. Love is above religion, Caste/Creed & rich or poor.

4. There is a limit of human tolerance beyond which one becomes

nothing better than an animal.

Released on 21st September 2000.

CAST Wangol Leima, Martha Misao, Mang Kipgen and Tomkino Misao

STORY Tongpa

MUSIC Jimson Shimrey

SCREENPLAY Lalkhumang Kipgen

LYRICS Loncha Kipgen

DIRECTED BY Banka

PRODUCED BY Th Kipgen

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