UKHRUL: The English–Manipuri docu-fiction film I Am Special (2017) will be screened across multiple cities in North India from January 21 to 24. The screenings, supported by Accessible Services and Disability Affairs, Delhi, are being organised in observance of Race Against Dementia Day and Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day.
Written, edited and directed by Priyakanta Laishram, and produced by Harendra Laishram, the film will be showcased in Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow and Dehradun. The initiative seeks to promote informed public discourse on inclusion, accessibility and the representation of lived realities in contemporary cinema.
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With a runtime of 47 minutes, I Am Special presents six interwoven narratives that combine real-life accounts with fictionalised storytelling. Among the real-life stories featured are those of the director’s late mother, Jibanlata Laishram, who lived with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Girish Asotra, a young boy from Chandigarh diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The fictional segments depict the experiences of a dancer who communicates without speech, an archer on the autism spectrum, a visually impaired singer, and a young girl living with bipolar disorder. Together, these stories aim to offer a nuanced perspective on diverse physical, neurological and mental health conditions.
The film was produced under the banner of Priyakanta Productions and shot across Mumbai, Chandigarh and Imphal. In 2018, it received the OUT OF THE BOX Award at the Symbiosis Allied Media Awards, recognising its thematic depth and unconventional narrative approach.
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Commenting on the film, Priyakanta Laishram said that the project was conceived with the intention of encouraging audiences to view individuals through empathy rather than judgment. He noted that many challenges faced by people with disabilities and health conditions arise from societal attitudes, and expressed hope that the film would foster greater openness and fairness.
All screenings will incorporate accessibility measures, including sign-language interpretation, audio descriptions and inclusive seating arrangements. Each venue will also host post-screening discussions with advocates and community members, providing a platform for reflection on the film’s themes and broader issues of accessibility and social inclusion.