Imphal: The All Trans Man Association of Manipur served a legal notice on November 4 demanding the immediate postponement of the film Chaobagi Laibak. The film was slated for release on November 5. Producer Chandam Yaima Devi and director Ojitbabu Ningthoujam received the notice from advocate Thokchom Premlata Devi. It calls for the removal, muting, or modification of scenes and lines deemed offensive to the trans man community.
ATMA pinpointed four specific expressions in promotional materials that mock gender identity. The group argues these segments lean on tired, harmful stereotypes. They maintain the goal is not to stifle artistic expression. The association claims their objection is strictly against content they view as "humiliating and discriminatory."
The legal action invokes Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. It also cites Section 3 of the Transgender Persons Act of 2019 to challenge the depiction. ATMA previously contacted the Secretary of the Film Forum in Imphal West on November 2. They requested a private screening to vet the film before its public debut. That request went unheeded.
The notice mandates a response within 24 hours. Failure to act could push the case to the Manipur High Court under Article 226. ATMA may also petition the Central Board of Film Certification and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The group wants all current promotions scrubbed until they review the final cut. No word yet from the production team.
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