# Bala Hijam

Surja Bala Hijam, better known as Bala Hijam (Meitei pronunciation: /ba-lā hī-jam/) is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is known for her lead roles in movies like Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba, Manipur Express, Sanagi Tangbal, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi and Wakchingi Len.

## Career

Bala Hijam made her debut at age 15 in Oken Amakcham's Tellangga Mamei, through the reference of the cinematographer of the movie Irom Maipak. She started shooting for her Hindi film debut Zindagi on the Rocks, but was left incomplete due to some issues. 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 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. She played the role of a differently-abled lady in the movie Tamoyaigee Ebecha.
In 2018, she appeared in an educational film, Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?. She featured in a short film Lembi Leima directed by Mayank Pratap Singh in 2022.

## Accolades

Bala Hijam was honoured with different titles at several film awards and festivals.
| Award | Category | Film |
| 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 |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | Best Actor in a Leading Role - Female | Inamma |
| 1st Northeast India International Film Festival 2022, Dimapur | Best Actress | Lembi Leima |
| Sitannavasal International Film Festival 2022 | Best Actress | Lembi Leima |
| Thilsri International Film Festival 2023, Chennai | Best Actress | Lembi Leima |
| Golden Fern Films Award 2023 | Best Actress | Lembi Leima |
| 4th Empty Space International Short Film Festival 2024 | Best Actress | Lembi Leima |

## Selected filmography

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Director(s) | Notes |
| 2006 | Tellangga Mamei | Bembem | Oken Amakcham | Child Artist, Debut film |
| 2009 | Khangdreda Nongdamba | Bala | Romi Meitei | |
| 2009 | Panthungee Wangmada | Linthoi | Yoimayai Mongsaba | |
| 2010 | Imagi Laman Singamdre | Niti | Romi Meitei | |
| 2010 | Kadarmapee | Nungthil Chaibi | L. Prakash | |
| 2010 | 21st Century's Kunti | Kethabi | Joy Soram | |
| 2011 | Hanggam Maru Pokkhaibi | Mitlaobi | L. Surjakanta | |
| 2011 | Loibataare Ta Raju | Molly | Pilu H. | |
| 2011 | Luhongbagi Ahing | Purnima | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2011 | Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba | Majaru | Homen D' Wai | Won Best Actress |
| 2012 | Taru Tarubi Maktabee | Maktabee | Tej Kshetri | |
| 2012 | Mami | Lily | Jeetendra Ningomba | |
| 2012 | Lamjasara | Fajarei | L. Prakash | |
| 2012 | Manipur Express | Tampha | O. Gautam | |
| 2012 | Lamkhai | Thadoi | Ningthoukhongjam Medhajeet | |
| 2013 | Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi | Assi | Sameer Thahir | Malayalam Debut |
| 2013 | Mounao Thoibi | Thoibi | Romi Meitei | |
| 2013 | Thajagee Maihing | Thaja | Romi Meitei | |
| 2013 | Chow Chow Momo na haobara Shingju Bora na oinambara | Nungshitombi | RK Jiten | |
| 2013 | Tamoyaigee Ebecha | Ebecha | Pilu H. | |
| 2014 | Sathiba Danger | Sakhenbi | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| 2014 | Sanagi Tangbal | Lingjelthoibi | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2014 | Meerang Mahum | Nganthoi | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| 2014 | 23rd Century: Ngasigee Matungda | Thambal | Dinesh Tongbram | |
| 2014 | Hoo Chaage | Leishilembi | Denny Likmabam | |
| 2014 | Amukta Ani | Thoibi | Romi Meitei | |
| 2014 | Thabaton 2 | Nungsithoi | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2014 | Delhi Mellei | Mellei | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| 2015 | Toro | Thoibi | Kirmil Soraisam | |
| 2015 | Da Lem | Sorinchon | Hemanta Khuman | |
| 2015 | Nungshit Mapi | Thambal | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| 2015 | Cheikhei | Sanatombi | Premkumar Paonam | |
| 2015 | Angangba Mayek (Pizza 2) | Thanil | Dinesh Tongbram | |
| 2015 | Eikhoi Pabunggi | Engellei | Hemanta Khuman | |
| 2015 | Kum Kang Kum Kabi Chang | Tharo | Bishwamittra | |
| 2016 | Moreh Maru | Bala | O. Gautam | |
| 2016 | Tharo Thambal | Tharo | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2016 | Khongfam | Tampha | Sudhir Kangjam | |
| 2016 | Sor | Usha | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| 2017 | Iche Tampha | Thadoi | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2017 | Mitlu | Thaarlin | Gyaneshwor Konj | |
| 2017 | Mani Mamou | Ningthibeees | Ajit Ningthouja | |
| 2017 | Mr. Khadang | Thadoi | Chou En Lai | |
| 2017 | Chinglen Sana | Langlen | Bijgupta Laishram | Best Actor - Supporting Role |
| 2017 | Kaongamdraba Facebook | Tampha | AK. Gyaneshori | |
| 2018 | Sanagi Nga | Thaja | Romi Meitei | |
| 2018 | Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? | Herself | Priyakanta Laishram | |
| 2018 | Ebungee Echal | Leibaklei | Hemanta Khuman | |
| 2018 | Nungshibana Loire | Sana | Sadananda Salam | |
| 2018 | Chanu IPS | Laija | Sanaton Nongthomba | |
| 2018 | Yotpi | Yoihenbi | Romi Meitei | |
| 2018 | Pari Imom | Sanatombi | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2018 | Hidak Tombi | Tombi | Chou En Lai | |
| 2019 | Kao Phaaba | Matouleibi | Ishomani | |
| 2019 | Ichadi Manini | Yaiphabi | Geet Yumnam | |
| 2019 | Inamma | Memtombi | Homeshwori | Won Best Actress at 9th MANIFA 2020 |
| 2019 | Namase Chaphu Huranbini | Memsana | Herojit Naoroibam | |
| 2019 | Wakchingi Len | Yaiphabi | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2019 | Mutlamdai Thaomei | Thaballei | Sudhir Kangjam | |
| 2019 | Thabaton 3 | Nungsithoi | Bijgupta Laishram | |
| 2019 | Chanu IPS 2 | Laija | Sanaton Nongthomba | |
| 2019 | Mamal Naidraba Thamoi | Nurei | Gyanand | |
| 2019 | Eerei | Eethak | Krishnakumar Gurumayum | |
| 2020 | Aronba Wari | Mainoubi | OC Meira | |
| 2020 | 15 August: A Love Story | | Krishnand Ningombam | |
| 2022 | Shamjabee | Nungsitombi | Premkumar Paonam | |
| 2022 | Ningol | Tarubi | L. Surjakanta | |
| 2022 | Wangma Wangmada | Actress | Kirmil Soraisam | |
| 2022 | Lembi Leima | Surjabala | Mayank Pratap Singh | |
| 2024 | Boong | Mandakini | Lakshmipriya Devi | |
| 2024 | Laangoi | Henthoi | Manoranjan Longjam | |
| 2025 | Nung Onkhraba Thamoi | Thoibi | Surjit Khuman | |