# Pandam Amada

Pandam Amada (English: In Pursuit Of) is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by O. Gautam and produced by Sarokons. It stars Bonney Takhelmayum and Archana Konsam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at MSFDS on 8 September 2019. It was world premiered at the 18th International Dhaka Film Festival held at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 11 to 19 January 2020. Pandam Amada was selected among 15 films screened in the Children's Film Section of the festival.
The film also got selections in the 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai and Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival, 2020. The movie was nominated for 9th MANIFA 2020 under various categories. It won many awards, including the Best Feature Film Award in the Manipur State Film Awards 2020.

## Synopsis

Malem is an innocent, a kind-hearted and a sporty boy. He has a close childhood friend called Nganba. The two close friends get separated after passing out together from high school as the former joins a new school under his father's recommendation. Malem gets to meet a new circle of friends and his life rolls up to the phase of mischievous behaviour and eventually, he gets caught being drunk by police. While Malem struggles to recover from the trauma of the incident, his friend Nganba faces health complications and gets hospitalised. When Malem learns that Nganba's condition is critical and needs money for operation, he decides to take part in a marathon race with a strong intention to win. Now, Malem's only objective is to help his friend by putting the winning cash prize in the operation.

## Cast

* Bonney Takhelmayum as Malem
* Archana Konsam as Bembem
* Raju Nong as Malem's father
* Maya Choudhury as Yaiphabi, Malem's mother
* Ningthoujam Rina as Tombi, Nganba's mother
* Naoton H. as Nganba
* Sanu Thokchom as Lemba
* Heikrujam Kerish
* Sandip Pukhram
* Sagar Maibam
* Ghanashyam Khangembam
* Sorokhaibam Saratchandra

## Soundtrack

Tony Aheibam composed the soundtrack for the film and Eikhoi Yambung wrote the lyrics. The songs are titled Naken Tha and Exam Loire. Naken Tha became a hit song number and reached more than 8 million views on YouTube. The online copyrights of the songs were procured by Mami Taibang.

## Accolades

Pandam Amada won many awards at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020, including the Best Feature Film Award. At the 9th MANIFA 2020, the movie won four awards out of the 14 nominations. The award ceremonies for both were postponed and held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Feature Film | Producer: Konsam Saroja Director: O. Gautam | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Director | Oinam Gautam Singh | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Screenplay (Original) | Santosh Laishram Momocha Konthoujam | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Production Designer | Konjengbam Demba | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Audiography (Sound Designer) | Ph. Shananda Sharma | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Editing | Oinam Gautam Singh | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Make-Up | Poison (Kh. Debabrata) | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Background Score | RK Birendrajit L. Karnajit | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Playback Singer (Male) | Kenedy Khuman (Naken Tha) | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Choreography | John Irom | Won | [9] [10] |
| 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 | 9 April 2021 | Best Children's Film | O. Gautam Konsam Saroja | Won | [9] [10] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Audiography | P. Shananda Sharma | Won | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Background Score | R.K. Birendrajit Karnajit Laishram | Won | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Art Director | Irom John Meitei | Won | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Cinematography | Dhana Luwang | Won | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Feature Film | O. Gautam Konsam Saroja | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Director | Oinam Gautam Singh | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Screenplay | Santosh Laishram | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Male | Raju Nong | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Lyricist | Eikhoi Yambung | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Playback Singer - Male | Kenedy Khuman | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Editing | Oinam Gautam Singh | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Costume | Saroja Konsam | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Story | Saroja Konsam | Nominated | [11] [12] |
| 9th MANIFA 2020 | 8 February 2021 | Best Choreography | John Irom | Nominated | [11] [12] |