Sonia Samjetsabam has done more films than the number accounting for her age. And it’s quite understandable if the 23-year-old pauses before she could rattle off the names of the 27 films she has worked in Manipur film industry. After all, she made her debut as a child artiste at six. At her hometown in Imphal, she is nothing short of stardom and draws inspiration from her actor- director father Mangoljao -- in all aspects of life.

Growing up in a family with members excelling in different art forms -- be it cinema, music or dance, the young actress has imbibed several talents from her kin. Her father is the current chairman of Film Forum Manipur, an apex body of filmmakers that strive to add value and quality to the film indstary of the state.

Considering that the state’s first film, Matamgi Manipur, was release in 1972, Manipur’s film industry has come a long way.

Also with the ‘ban’ on Hindi films by militant outfits in 2002, Manipur cinema may have been confined to low-budget digital format films with limited markets but this has not deterred many aspirants like Samjetsabam to vie for a place on the big screen.

Today she is not only comfortable in front of the camera but also familiar with the nuances of the craft like a true professional.

Ironically when at the young age of six, Samjetsabam won the “Best Child Actor” for a small role she played in the film Meiranbi, in 2009, she was oblivious to the recognition the craft brought her.  Little did she know that it was the foundation to an acting career that lay ahead of her.

The young artist is as academically inclined, as she is in love with the craft of acting.

While she hopes to get a break in Bollywood someday, her top priority currently is to study hard and crack the civil services to become an efficient administrator.

As a young child Samjetsabam got acquainted with the Manipur film industry with a cameo in the film Echam Chamna - marking her entry into the cine world.

Several years later, 2013 was a turning point for the actress when she got noticed and appreciated for her lead role in Ureinung, a movie directed by her father. After that, there has been no looking back for the actor who is also pursuing her graduation in Bangalore.

This is not the first time she is living away from home.  To get quality education, she did her schooling at St. Johns English Medium High School, Vijayawada district of Andhra Pradesh and then studied in Guwahati. Excelling in academics has equally been important to Samjetsabam.

At the age of 18, she made her parents proud with her academic performance. She secured 95 per cent in her matriculation examination. As of now, she is making her mark as a skilled actress admired for her work but she has her eyes set on the academic goals as well.

Samjetsabam in conversation with www.thenestories.com

You received the accolade of “Best Child Actor” for the film Meiranbi, in 2009 – is that your first venture in the cineworld? Who introduced you to films?

I was in grade 1 when I played the role of a local child for my first movie appearance. It was a small role which barely lasted for three minutes. I cannot even recall the experience now as I must have been just five or six-years-old at the time.

What followed was a small cameo in the film for the song Yenning Amadi Likla, a 16 mm (blown up to 35 mm) film made in 2007. I was one of the many kids in the song sequence.

My third appearance was in the movie Meiranbi, which was my father’s production. I played the role of the main protagonist’s daughter. This role felt like my biggest yet, at the time.

In fact, the role was a launching pad for me as it got me noticed and appreciated by the industry and audiences alike. I consider this as my “lucky film” and this got me the Best Child Actor recognition.

The story of Meiranbi revolves around a family in which the mother leaves her husband and children for a second marriage.

My character then takes on the role of the caregiver for the rest of the family – in which I looked after my brother, managed chores at home and, balanced everything that required one to run a home.

I guess, this role helped me strike a chord with the audience.

What kind of influence has your father Mangoljao, another well-known face in the Manipuri film industry as a supporting actor and a director, had on your choice of career?

It was my father who ignited my interest in creative fields. He encouraged me to pursue my interest in fine arts.

In fact, in my family, everyone is supportive of my decision to pursue creative projects even as a student.

My father regularly reads and screens scripts, and passes on to me the ones which meet his expectations. As early as in Standard 6, I was encouraged to learn Bharatanatyam, after which I took classes in Krishan Nartan – a classical dance of Manipur. I also dabbled in Manipuri folk dances like Thoibi and Maibi Jagoi.

My elder brother, who is currently helping my dad in his film works, taught me western dance styles. I have acted in 27 movies so far – which was possible despite having no formal training but sheer love for acting and a good support system.

Art and music run in my family’s blood and they continually support me in all that I do. As for my mother, who is a homemaker, she always accompanies me for shooting.

Here, in Manipur, it is common for people to aspire for conventional jobs - and that definitely excludes a career in films. I do not want a full-time career in films.

Someday, I want to get into the civil services - for which I am preparing right now in Bangalore. Political science, Economics and History are my areas of interest, but I have also always wanted to be an administrator because I am driven by the desire to look into the welfare of others. At the moment, my studies are my utmost priority.

Your first priority is academics, how do you get the best out of both worlds? Do you share the aspirations and everyday troubles of your peers?

My movie shootings were always scheduled during school/college holidays. I have three vacations in a year – each about 15 days long. The director had to make sure all my shootings were done during that time. As a result, my holidays were always jam-packed with work and I hardly found time to spend with my family and friends. It was hectic but I enjoyed every bit of it. Shooting would take place in different localities of Imphal, and sometimes we would even go to other districts of Manipur - which meant driving those extra hours.

Rest of the days, I stay in a PG in Bangalore. My peers know I am an actor – I lead a normal life. Since I am busy on other days, the lockdown has given me a chance to spend time with my loved ones, study for exams and also enjoy my other creative passions. I love writing poems, cooking and choreographing my dance videos.

Sometimes I make videos for YouTube! I love food - especially, treating my family to spaghetti that I make on my own, eating all kinds of noodles and Korean food.

Someday, I would like to visit Seoul - I am simply keen to see the historical palaces there!

As for the future, I will continue to act but not as a profession – in Manipur, the market is small. I still love acting and I would like to be in Bollywood, but let us see...

What are some difficulties you face during shooting? Which role has been the most difficult one so far?

In Korounganba, I played three roles within the same movie – the first was of a naughty and fun-loving girl, the second was that of a married and pregnant woman and the third was that of a widow. Each role demanded a lot of character and personalisation. Playing the role of the married woman in Korounganba was challenging. At 22, it was tough to get into a role that required extensive knowledge about all the customs and the nuances of the character’s situation. Also, one movie takes about 15 days of shooting around Manipur – sometimes, the location may be changed to other districts at the last minute! One time, we were unable to wrap up on time, and the crew had to come to Bangalore’s Nandi Hills to finish. Another issue I might mention is the pay gap - In Manipur, senior actors make about INR 80,000 to 1 lakh per movie. As for me, my fee is around INR 50-70k per movie. .

Bollywood or Hollywood, what moves you in terms of acting?

I cannot take my eyes off of Jennifer Aniston when she is on screen, especially in Friends - which is, in fact, where I first saw her. I adore her character, and her seemingly effortless acting is commendable. In Bollywood, I enjoyed watching Shahid Kapur in Jab We Met as a kid. I think he brings a unique freshness to the movie.

Jacqueline Fernandez’s personality also caught my eye early on because of her interactions with her fans. I love her YouTube videos - a remarkable platform to keep in touch with her fans. Why I admire her, is mostly due to the fact that she treats her staff with amity and respect.

Story Partner: Media9