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.

--------------------

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."