Film on ace boxer Sarita Devi bags outstanding achievement award at TIFF

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Oct. 29 (EMN): An inspiring documentary ‘I Rise’ based on the life of India’s ace boxer Laishram Sarita Devi has won best film on woman and outstanding achievement award during the 10th seasons of Tagore International Film Festival(TIFF) held at West Bengal.

TIFF is a monthly live screening international event which takes place at the end of every month organised at Bolpur city of West Bengal wherein world film industry specialists announce 20 officially selected films in each category and out of them one film receives the best category award.

The 52-minute documentary film was directed and cinematographed by Manipur’s National award winning filmmaker Borun Thokchom and is produced by Films Division Mumbai.

The life of Sarita Devi, a seven-time Asian Championships medallist, has been filled with ups and downs. One of the highly discussed points of her career was in 2014 Asian Games in Incheon when she refused to accept the bronze medal after protesting against the match decision.

Manipur’s young and dynamic filmmaker Borun Thokchom’s documentary film begins with the historic incident.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Borun said, “She (Sarita) feels that it was her right to protest so that it does not repeat to other pugilists even though she is aware of the action against her at that time.”

“So I had decided to make a film on her right after her infamous (Incheon) incident,” he added.

Born in a poor family in Thoubal Khunou in Thoubal district of Manipur, Sarita lately came to limelight as the first Indian professional woman boxer after she became a mother and trains the marginalised children to excel in boxing.

The documentary film on Sarita ends with a message that she will continue to fight as long as she can, adds the energetic film maker.

Borun’s documentary film ‘The Silent Poet’ won National awards in 2011.The film highlights the poetic side of Irom Sharmila.