In the continuing covid related fatality, the Manipuri film fraternity lost yet again another personality to the merciless coronavirus on Sunday, the 13th June 2021. Thokchom Surmangol, 41, a rising comedian who has acted in over 10 Manipuri feature films as a comedian succumbed to Covid-19. 

Mourning the demise of the film actor, Manipuri State Film Development Society, MSFDS, described Surmangol as a comedian with originality and good story narrating skills. Surmangol made his first appearance in part-v of the popular Nokphade series and gradually made a niche for himself in Manipuri Cinema as an actor in a comic role. The Society’s Secretary, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum while sharing the grievances of the bereaved family, termed the passing of Surmangol as a big loss for Manipuri Cinema.  

MSFDS also mourned the death of the producer of ‘Lucy Thoibi’ (2019), Wahengbam Basanta Singh, who succumbed to kidney failure on 24^th May 2021 at his residence at Porompat, Thawan Thaba Leikai, Imphal East. The late film producer is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.

In the memory of the two departed souls, candles were lighted at the Manipuri Cinema Memorial at MSFDS complex at Palace gate in the evening.

Altogether the film community of Manipur has lost eight of its members, namely, Thokchom Surmangol, R.K. Bidur, Wahengbam Basanta Singh, Dr. Thiyam Suresh Singh, Irom Maipak, Hem Athokpam, Sagolsem Romio Meitei and Em Kay Jeet