Bala Hijam

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Bala Hijam
Born
Hijam Surjabala Devi

Sagolband Salam Leikai, Imphal
OccupationActress
Height162 cm (5 ft 4 in)
SpouseNingthoujam Dinesh Singh
Parent(s)Hijam Biramangol
Hijam Suniti Devi

Surja Bala Hijam (born 9 Jun 1991; at Imphal), better known as Bala Hijam (Meitei pronunciation: /ba-lā hī-jam/), is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films.[1][2][3] She is known for her roles in Boong, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Sanagi Tangbal, Amukta Ani and Inamma.[4][5]

Career

Bala Hijam made her debut at the age of 15 in Oken Amakcham's Tellangga Mamei, through the reference of the cinematographer of the movie Irom Maipak.[6] She started shooting for her Hindi film debut Zindagi on the Rocks, but was left incomplete due to some issues.[7] Her notable role after her first film was in Romi Meitei's Khangdreda Nongdamba, where she played a supporting role alongside Kamala Saikhom. Panthungee Wangmada, directed by Yoimayai Mongsaba and produced under the banner Fly High Films was her first film in a leading role. Among her popular films, Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Meerang Mahum, Amukta Ani, Delhi Mellei, Sanagi Tangbal and Thabaton 2 may be mentioned.[8] She played the role of a disabled lady in the movie Tamoyaigee Ebecha.

In 2018, she appeared in an educational film Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?.[9] She also featured in the short film Lembi Leima directed by Mayank Pratap Singh in 2022.[10] In 2024, she played the role of Mandakini in Boong, an internationally acclaimed film that had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[11]

Accolades

Bala Hijam was honoured with different titles at several film awards and festivals.

Award Category Film Ref.
5th RJ Film Vision Special Award 2011 Special Jury Award  –
8th Manipur State Film Festival 2013 Best Actress Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba
11th Manipur State Film Awards 2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female Chinglen Sana [12][13]
9th MANIFA 2020 Best Actor in a Leading Role - Female Inamma [14]
1st Northeast India International Film Festival 2022, Dimapur Best Actress Lembi Leima [15]
Sitannavasal International Film Festival 2022 [16]
Thilsri International Film Festival 2023, Chennai
Golden Fern Films Award 2023
4th Empty Space International Short Film Festival 2024 [17]

Selected filmography

  • All films are in Meitei unless otherwise noted.
Year Title Role(s) Director(s) Notes Ref.
2006Tellangga MameiBembemOken AmakchamChild Artist, Debut film[18]
2009Khangdreda NongdambaBalaRomi Meitei[19]
Panthungee WangmadaLinthoiYoimayai Mongsaba
2010Imagi Laman SingamdreNitiRomi Meitei[20]
KadarmapeeNungthil ChaibiL. Prakash[21]
21st Century's KuntiKethabiJoy Soram[22]
2011Hanggam Maru PokkhaibiMitlaobiL. Surjakanta[23]
Loibataare Ta RajuMollyPilu H.
Nongmadi SoidanaLeinaIshomani
Luhongbagi AhingPurnimaBijgupta Laishram[24]
Yaiskulgee Pakhang AngaobaMajaruHomen D' WaiWon Best Actress[25]
2012Taru Tarubi MaktabeeMaktabeeTej Kshetri
ThouriMalluKhoibam Homeshwori
Nongdambada TanoubiSanathoiRajen Leishangthem
MamiLilyJeetendra Ningomba[26]
LamjasaraFajareiL. Prakash[27]
Manipur ExpressTamphaO. Gautam
LamkhaiThadoiNingthoukhongjam Medhajeet
2013Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna BhoomiAssiSameer ThahirMalayalam Debut[28][29]
Mounao ThoibiThoibiRomi Meitei[30]
Thajagee MaihingThaja[31]
Chow Chow Momo na haobara Shingju Bora na oinambaraNungshitombiRK Jiten[32]
Tamoyaigee EbechaEbechaPilu H.[33]
2014Sathiba DangerSakhenbiAjit Ningthouja[34]
Sanagi TangbalLingjelthoibiBijgupta Laishram[35]
Meerang MahumNganthoiAjit Ningthouja[36]
23rd Century: Ngasigee MatungdaThambalDinesh Tongbram[37]
Hoo ChaageLeishilembiDenny Likmabam
Amukta AniThoibiRomi Meitei[38]
Thabaton 2NungsithoiBijgupta Laishram[39]
Delhi MelleiMelleiAjit Ningthouja[40]
2015ToroThoibiKirmil Soraisam[41]
Da LemSorinchonHemanta Khuman[42]
Nungshit MapiThambalAjit Ningthouja[43]
CheikheiSanatombiPremkumar Paonam[44]
Angangba Mayek (Pizza 2)ThanilDinesh Tongbram
Eikhoi PabunggiEngelleiHemanta Khuman[45]
Kum Kang Kum Kabi ChangTharoBishwamittra[46]
2016Moreh MaruBalaO. Gautam[47]
Tharo ThambalTharoBijgupta Laishram
KhongfamTamphaSudhir Kangjam
SorUshaAjit Ningthouja[48]
2017Iche TamphaThadoiBijgupta Laishram[49]
MitluThaarlinGyaneshwor Konj[50]
Mani MamouNingthibeeAjit Ningthouja[51]
Mr. KhadangThadoiChou En Lai[52]
Chinglen SanaLanglenBijgupta LaishramBest Actor - Supporting Role[53]
Kaongamdraba FacebookTamphaAK. Gyaneshori
2018Sanagi NgaThajaRomi Meitei[54]
Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? Herself Priyakanta Laishram [55]
Ebungee EchalLeibakleiHemanta Khuman
Nungshibana LoireSanaSadananda Salam
Chanu IPSLaijaSanaton Nongthomba[56]
YotpiYoihenbiRomi Meitei[57]
Pari ImomSanatombiBijgupta Laishram[58]
Hidak TombiTombiChou En Lai
2019Kao PhaabaMatouleibiIshomani
Ichadi ManiniYaiphabiGeet Yumnam[59]
InammaMemtombiHomeshworiWon Best Actress at 9th MANIFA 2020[60]
Namase Chaphu HuranbiniMemsanaHerojit Naoroibam[61]
Wakchingi LenYaiphabiBijgupta Laishram[62]
Mutlamdai ThaomeiThaballeiSudhir Kangjam
Thabaton 3NungsithoiBijgupta Laishram[63]
Chanu IPS 2LaijaSanaton Nongthomba[64]
Mamal Naidraba ThamoiNureiGyanand[65]
EereiEethakKrishnakumar Gurumayum[66]
2020Aronba WariMainoubiOC Meira[67]
15 August: A Love StoryKrishnand Ningombam
2022ShamjabeeNungsitombiPremkumar Paonam
NingolTarubiL. Surjakanta[68]
Wangma WangmadaActressKirmil Soraisam[69]
Lembi LeimaSurjabalaMayank Pratap Singh[70][71]
2024BoongMandakiniLakshmipriya Devi[72]
LaangoiHenthoiManoranjan Longjam
2025Nung Onkhraba ThamoiThoibiSurjit Khuman
UpcomingAhingsina LoidringeiThoibiO. Gautam
LeishembiLeishembiRakesh Moirangthem
Ketukigi LeinamMemthoibi/MemiGyanand Ksh.

References

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  4. "'Boong' Review: A Small Coming-of-Age Tale on India's Eastern Border Disguises Larger Politics". Variety. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
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