The All Trans Man Association (ATMA), Manipur, has served a legal notice on the producer and director of the Manipuri feature film Chaobagi Laibak, demanding postponement of its scheduled release on November 5 over alleged derogatory dialogues and scenes concerning the Transman (Nupa Maanba) community.
The legal notice, dated November 4 and issued through advocate Thokchom Premlata Devi, was addressed to producer Chandam Yaima Devi and director Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. It calls for withholding the film’s public exhibition until the objectionable portions are deleted, muted or suitably modified.
ATMA has objected to four expressions appearing in promotional materials of the film, alleging that they ridicule and question the gender identity and expression of Transman persons. The association contends that the dialogues, in their apparent context and manner of presentation, reinforce prejudicial stereotypes and undermine the dignity of the community.
The association has also argued that the portrayal of a marginalised community in a public entertainment medium requires sensitivity, caution and respect for human dignity. It maintains that its objection is not directed against artistic freedom or filmmaking on transgender lives, but against content it considers humiliating and discriminatory.
Invoking Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to life and personal liberty, including dignity, the legal notice also refers to Article 19(1)(a), subject to the reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). It further cites Section 3 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which prohibits discrimination against transgender persons in specified spheres.
The notice states that ATMA had earlier submitted a written representation on November 2 to the Secretary of Film Forum, Imphal West, seeking a fresh screening of the complete film in the presence of representatives and activists of the Transman community before its release.
Apart from seeking postponement of the release, ATMA has demanded removal or modification of the disputed dialogues and scenes, a fresh preview of the modified film in consultation with community representatives, and a written undertaking from the producer and director that the final version would not contain the objectionable material.
The association has also called for an end to further circulation and promotion of the disputed dialogues and promotional materials until the matter is resolved.
The legal notice gives the producer and director 24 hours from receipt to communicate their response and confirm the action taken. It warns that failure to comply could lead to legal proceedings before competent judicial and statutory authorities, including an approach to the Manipur High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking interim and final relief against the film’s release and exhibition.
ATMA has also reserved the right to approach the Central Board of Film Certification and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for examination of the disputed content under the applicable legal framework.
The notice, however, represents the association’s legal position and demands; it does not constitute a judicial direction restraining the film’s release. No response from the producer or director was available in the documents supplied.
