Lin Laishram, who hails from Manipuri, has praised Priyanka Chopra Jonas for acknowledging the lack of diverse casting in her 2014 film Mary Kom. In a recent interview, Priyanka looked back at the movies she has been a part of in her two-decade-long career. Talking about the biopic on boxer MC Mary Kom, who hails from Manipur, she agreed that someone from the Northeast should have played the leading role. “I look nothing like her,” Priyanka had said.

Lin, who also played a small part in the film, appreciated the fact that Priyanka has acknowledged that an actor from the Northeast would have been better suited to portray the boxer on the big screen.

In a chat with BT yesterday, Lin said, “I really appreciate that Priyanka owned up to it, and this speaks volumes because she’s not only a Bollywood actor but an international star. So, for her to stand up for something which is a fact only garners more respect not only from me, but from all the people who go through racism or discrimination on a daily basis. ”

In her earlier interactions, a few years ago, Lin had opened up about this misrepresentation in the film.

So, when asked whether she had expressed her reservations with the film's team while working on it, she said, “Unfortunately, I didn’t. I was too young and new to the industry. A movie was getting made on our people and I was just happy being part of it. Back then, I felt that was the process. I feel casting is one of the most important processes of filmmaking, especially in a biopic. Keeping the look of the actor close to the ethnicity of the character is extremely important for believability and authenticity.” 

Lin feels that Bollywood lacks options when it comes to casting Northeastern actors in their projects. “There is a lot of talent waiting to be explored from the Northeast. Unfortunately, people don’t write significant roles for us. Writers and directors feel disconnected and producers feel that we are not saleable enough. But with OTT platforms coming in, this is changing. We have a few options opening up and I’m hoping to see more projects for us,” says the actor who featured in the movie Axone (2020), which revolved around a bunch of friends from the Northeast living in Delhi.

In her recent interview with an international publication, Priyanka had said that she was skeptical about taking on the role of the boxing champion in the beginning, not only because she would be playing such a renowned athlete but also because they looked nothing like each other. She also added that the part should have gone to someone from the Northeast, but she was greedy as an actor to get a chance to tell the story because the athlete inspired her a lot.

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Recently, a video announcing the film Chakda Xpress, which features Anushka Sharma as former Indian women’s cricket captain Jhulan Goswami, was shared. However, the casting choice did not sit well with many. While fans were excited to see the talented actresses in front of the camera after four years, the strained accent and artificially darkened skin drew criticism. “Why couldn’t a dusky actress be cast as Jhulan Goswami in #ChakdaXpress? Why take a supremely lighter slim actress and get her so bronzed up? Beyond me (sic),” said a netizen, a sentiment that was shared by several people.

Axone actor Lin Laishram on the race discourse in India and why despite having worked in Bollywood for six years, she hasn't made it to the top
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 18, 2020)

As the discourse around Black Lives Matter intensified in the US following the death of George Floyd, in India, a well-timed film Axone was released as a reminder of the prejudices faced by people hailing from the North-East. Lin Laishram, who headlines the film along with Sayani Gupta, sees it as her debut despite making an entry in the industry with Mary Kom (2014). Post the sports drama, she featured in a host of films including Prashant Nair's acclaimed Umrika, but none, by virtue of their narrative, structure, propelled her to the limelight.

"There are no roles written for me," says Laishram, explaining that even that even though more parts are being written for women, the industry is at a nascent stage when it comes to understanding these roles. "I love Bollywood films, but never felt I could belong to the same industry as Karisma Kapoor, my idol, because we look nothing like each other. I am a minority who looks a certain way — from my facial features to cultural differences. It makes [getting roles] exceedingly difficult. I am waiting to get my due as an actor and not appearance."

With Axone becoming a major talking point, ever since it released on Netflix, Laishram opines that there "is a lack of representation". "It's imperative at this time to shed light on the issues of racism faced. No other Hindi film before has written a story on the lives of North East people." The mainstream audience has normalised stigmatisation and name-calling of those from the North East, says the actor. "The stereotyping and prejudice comes from a lack of awareness. Being called 'Cheeni' is as problematic as being tagged 'Madrasi'. It is important to reflect the racism faced with empathy over rage. I am glad Axone helps strike a productive dialogue. Layered with humour, the story helps drive the point home."

Sayani Gupta, whose character tackles racism against Northeast Indians in Axone, says the discrimination they are facing during the pandemic is unfortunate
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 29, 2020)

The state of helplessness that masses are reduced to in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, one would assume, would make them increasingly empathetic towards one another. However, apart from the increasing cases of violence prevalent in the streets, cases of racism against North-East Indians are reason enough for citizens to introspect. Sayani Gupta, who was part of Nicholas Kharkongor’s film Axone also starring Vinay Pathak, that tackled racism against residents of India’s North Eastern states, weighs in on the matter. “It is bizarre and insensitive. I don’t understand how can people stoop down to that level and bully others. It’s important for us to send out the right message, which is to stop racism,” says the actor.

Pointing out that there is no credence to substantiate the fact that the virus originated in China, she says, “Now, people say there were some [signs of it] in the US. You never know. We are in this together; we can’t be blaming each other. I have many friends in the North-East, and I keep [visiting them]. My closest friend belongs to Assam, so I feel strongly about the discrimination.”

In self-isolation, Gupta is looking forward to the second season of the Amazon Prime Video show, Four More Shots Please!, which also stars Kirti Kulhari, Maanvi Gagroo and Bani J.

Sayani Gupta talks about her role in as a Nepalese woman in a satirical drama; reveals she was drawn to the project as it authentically represents people from North East India
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 1, 2019)

Getting into the skin of the character is important for Sayani Gupta and that’s why she didn’t mind looking the part of a Nepali woman in her next film, a bittersweet satirical drama, Axone. The film has been screened at many film festivals and appreciated by the audiences. When Sayani read the script, which was recommended to her, she was sure she wanted to do the film written and directed by Nicholas Kharkongor. “It helped that he was a good friend of Kalki’s (Koechiln, actor) and came highly recommended,” says the actor, who has worked in films such as Margarita With A Straw (2015), Fan (2016), Jolly LLB 2 (2017) and Article 15.

Sayani feels “fortunate” to have done films with varied roles and says that playing a Nepalese woman was challenging for her. “I have close friends who are from the Northeast and also speak Nepali. I wanted to be authentic. Also, I was the only non-North Eastern person in the unit. So, the pressure to ‘fit in’ was double (laughs). The fact that I looked like a Nepali helped, but it was only once I got into the look that everyone was convinced that I was actually Nepali. I would read the entire script daily and was extra careful with every word I spoke. Even during the dubbing, Nicholas and I discussed the authenticity of every spoken word. This film is very unique and special cause Nicholas actually wrote a brilliant script, which was super funny. And the fact that it’s probably the first ever mainstream film which authentically represents people from North East India,” says the actor.

The actor has been part of biggies and small-budget films. Ask her how does she feel about her films that do the rounds of festivals vis-a-vis films that she promotes extensively and she says, “Honestly, I don’t enjoy promotions. But, I do enjoy travelling with my film to festivals as you get a firsthand response from audiences from different parts of the world. It’s absolutely unparalleled.”

The various communities of North Eastern people are rarely shown in Bollywood. Films like Chak De India, Pink etc have tackled the problems faced by them but it was one of the sub plots. Director Nicholas Kharkongor, who earlier made Mantra, comes up with a Hindi movie with 80% of the characters being North Eastern. Titled Axone (pronounced as A-khu-ni), this flick emerges as one of the greatest films from Bollywood in recent times!

The story of the movie: Minam (Asenla Jamir) is from Delhi who is getting married the day she has to go for an important interview. Her friends in the capital city want to celebrate her important day and hit upon a plan. Minam's bestie Chanbi (Lin Laishram) with the help of her friend Upasana (Sayani Gupta) decide to cook smoked pork and Axone. Upasana and Chanbi are helped in this plan by Zorem (Tenzin Dalha), Upasana's boyfriend. Things are a bit complicated here as Zorem is also Minam's ex-boyfriend. On the other hand, the day doesn't start off well for Chanbi as her boyfriend Bendang (Lanuakum Ao), who has a tragic past, goes incommunicado, after a tiff. However the biggest conflict faced by Chanbi and her pals is that the dish they are about to cook at Upasana's place is going to emit a very foul odour which is pleasant to those who savour the dish. But for those not used to it, it can compel them to throw up. Upasana's landlady (Dolly Ahluwalia) is a grumpy old woman who dislikes Upasana and her North Eastern friends and also her son in law Gajendra (Vinay Pathak). However her grandson Shiv (Rohan Joshi) is on the side of the North Easterners and he decides to help them in their mission.

Axone starts off on a high with the exhilarating theme music. The visuals don't really compliment this music but no complaints! It takes a while to discover the main characters and how they bond with each other. However in the process, there's a lot happening which keeps the viewers engaged. Also there are many laugh out loud moments. But don't expect Axone to be a mindless caper. Nicholas takes up various issues that North Easteners have to go though everytime, especially racial discrimination. But instead of being preachy, he makes it a part of the script.

Any blemishes? Unfortunately, yes. The portion of the doctor, though funny, seems unnecessary. Also the solution that the friends hit upon in the end seems too simplistic.

Nicholas Kharkongor's story is very relatable and also quite creative. You don't get to see a film often where the biggest conflict is a group of people simply wanting to make a meal! Nicholas Kharkongor's screenplay is very creative and thankfully, entertaining. It rarely gets heavy and even when it does, one is constantly hooked. Nicholas Kharkongor's dialogues are smart and very well worded. The film is not just in Hindi but also in English and various North Eastern languages and it adds a lot to the authenticity.

Nicholas Kharkongor's direction is supreme and he does total justice to the fantastic plot in hand. In this 97 minute long film, he not only establishes various sub plots and fleshes out characters beautifully but also brings them together at various junctures to take the story forward. In the process, he also enlightens audiences to some interesting customs of certain North Eastern groups and their way of lives and it is quite fascinating!

Sayani Gupta is outstanding as the Nepali woman and the way she worked on the accent is praiseworthy. Lin Laishram is like the second female lead and is an actor to watch out for. Tenzin Dalha is very dashing and gives a subtle performance. Lanuakam Ao is the most touching character of the film. Merenla Imsong (Balamon) makes an impact in a small role. A particular dialogue of her got the maximum applause! Dolly Ahluwalia is great as the grumpy old woman. Rohan Joshi is the surprise dhamaka of the film! Vinay Pathak contributes to the madness well. Milo Sunka (Hayna) is decent. Adil Hussain has no dialogue and it’s very sweet of him to do this small role!

Tajdar Junaid's music also deserves special mention. The score of the film encompasses music styles of different communities of North East and is so refreshing! Parasher Baruah's cinematography is spectacular. The film is set in just locality of Delhi and it's very well captured. Yasmin Sethi's production design is realistic and so are the costumes. Suresh Pai’s editing is slick.

On the whole, there's no way you can miss Axone once it's out in cinemas or on OTT! The storyline is unique, the performances are great and the film scores highly on laughter and emotional quotient. Also, it’s a rare Hindi film dominated by North Eastern actors. Highly recommended!

My rating - **** ½ out of 5!