Manipuri documentary film “Beyond Blast” based on the life history of Konthoujam Maikel Meitei, a painter who lost both legs in a bomb explosion, will be screened at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), slated to take place from November 20-28, 2022 in Goa. 

‘Beyond Blast’ is selected among 20 non-feature films to be screened in the Indian Panorama section at the 53rd IFFI.

Directed by Saikhom Ratan alias Bungobi and produced by Konjenbam Shusila Leima, this 52-minute-and-10-second film portrays how the harrowing incident brought an unprecedented change in Maikel’s psyche and the strokes of his brush on the canvas.

A winner of various state and national awards, Maikel now paints consistently on a quest to spread his inner message of peace to the world. 

On December 16, 2007, a powerful IED explosion occurred at Pourabi, a countryside of Manipur, which claimed seven lives with more than 30 injured. The film depicts the sufferings of Maikel and how he wanted to swipe away the dark and fearful psychosis of the people through his painting.

Organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, this festival intends to select feature and non-feature films of cinematic, thematic, and aesthetic excellence, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of the Indian film industry.