Manipur’s Lukanand to Debut in ‘Birangana Xaadhani’
Quick News Summary
Manipur’s pageant star and young filmmaker Lukanand Kshetrimayum is making his acting debut in the historical feature Birangana Xaadhani, directed by National Award–winning Assamese filmmaker Biswajeet Bora. Backed by the Sootiya Development Council under a cultural initiative of the Assam Government, the film spotlights the life and times surrounding Queen Sati Sadhani of the Sutiya dynasty. Lukanand plays Maharaja Nitipal, the last Sutiya ruler. The production targets a pan-India release (Hindi, Assamese, Telugu, and more), with the project reported to be around 90% complete. Notably, singer-composer Papon is aboard for the film’s music.
A Star From Manipur Steps Into a Legendary Past
Every so often, an artist crosses lanes—leaping from one stage to another—and makes the whole industry sit up. Lukanand Kshetrimayum, known across pageantry circles and the Northeast’s indie film scene, is doing exactly that with his acting debut in Birangana Xaadhani. Helmed by Biswajeet Bora, a filmmaker admired in both Assamese and Hindi cinema, this historical epic aims to bring the Sutiya dynasty alive for a modern audience. The bet is bold: tell a complex, regionally rooted story with pan-Indian reach and give a rising artist a role that demands range, grit, and empathy
In the film, Lukanand portrays Maharaja Nitipal, a villager who rises to the Sutiya throne and becomes the spouse of the formidable Queen Sati Sadhani—a figure many in Assam revere as an icon of courage and sacrifice. It’s a role with weight, history, and emotion—just the kind of challenge debut actors either grow from or get buried under. By all signs, Lukanand is choosing the former.
Who (and What) Birangana Xaadhani Is About
If you’re not from Assam, the name Sati Sadhani might feel new. But in the state’s collective memory, she’s “Birangana”—a warrior queen, a symbol of resistance, and a cultural touchstone. Birangana Xaadhani (often stylized from the older project title “Sati Sadhani”) revolves around that legacy. The film captures the twilight years of the Sutiya kingdom, dramatizing political upheavals and personal bonds that defined the dynasty’s final chapters. As Maharaja Nitipal, Lukanand’s character anchors the court’s dilemmas while the narrative arcs toward Sati Sadhani’s enduring legend.
Early announcements dating back to late 2020 indicated a multi-language ambition and even floated ambitious elements such as large-scale warfare sequences; as the project evolved, the production has consistently emphasized historical authenticity and wider audience accessibility through language versions and meticulous research. Today, the Assamese, Hindi, and Telugu tracks remain central to its distribution strategy, signaling the makers’ intent to reach audiences far beyond Assam.
FAQs
1) Who is Lukanand Kshetrimayum, and why is his debut a big deal?
He’s a Manipuri creative who’s excelled in pageantry (Mega Mister North East 2019; Mister International India 2019; 2022 first runner-up), filmmaking, and leadership (appointed Managing Director of the Mister International Organization in 2024). His debut brings a disciplined, media-savvy performer to a demanding historical role.
2) What exactly is Birangana Xaadhani about?
It dramatizes the final phase of the Sutiya dynasty, centering the legacy of Queen Sati Sadhani and the reign of Maharaja Nitipal, weaving together politics, warfare, love, and sacrifice.
3) Who’s directing and producing the film?
Directed by Biswajeet Bora and produced by the Sootiya Development Council under an Assam Government cultural initiative.
4) In which languages will the film release?
The makers are preparing Hindi, Assamese, Telugu (and potentially more) to reach a nationwide audience.
5) What’s special about the music?
Papon—one of Assam’s most celebrated musicians—is composing the soundtrack, expected to blend folk roots with cinematic sweep.
