Priyakanta Laishram’s I AM SPECIAL (2017) and the ethics of disability representation
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Ankur Sharma Upadhyay
Disability representation in Indian cinema has long struggled to find balance. In a society where disability is still largely viewed through the lenses of pity, fear, or spectacle, genuine disability awareness demands more than surface-level representation. It requires sensitivity, ethical responsibility, and storytelling that listens rather than dictates. Films that achieve this balance are rare. I AM SPECIAL (2017), written, edited, and directed by Priyakanta Laishram, stands out as one such rare work - quiet, sincere, and deeply humane in its approach to disability and difference.
With a runtime of 47 minutes, I AM SPECIAL is a docufiction that interweaves six narratives-two drawn directly from real life and four fictionalised accounts, forming a mosaic of individuals who navigate the world differently, yet with equal emotional depth and agency. This film also marks Laishram’s first and only venture into the docufiction genre so far, and one unmistakably feels that he possesses the instincts of a sensitive documentarian, leaving room to hope for more documentaries in his future filmography.
At the heart of the film lie two real-life stories. One is that of Jibanlata Laishram, the filmmaker’s mother, who battled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) before passing away in 2016. The other is the story of Girish Asotra, a young boy from Chandigarh living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. These narratives ground the film in lived reality, lending it emotional authenticity and moral urgency.
In presenting his mother’s story, Laishram also confronts an uncomfortable social truth, the quiet abandonment faced by many individuals after they become disabled. The film reflects on how even the closest relatives and well-wishers often distance themselves, disguising their withdrawal as emotional helplessness or an inability to witness suffering. Beneath this façade, however, lies a deeper discomfort: a belief that disability diminishes a person’s worth, capability, or relevance. I AM SPECIAL articulates this painful reality with honesty, exposing a form of neglect that is socially normalised yet rarely acknowledged.
The film’s four fictional narratives extend this thematic concern with equal sensitivity. Bhani Khamnam delivers a moving performance as Bhani, a deaf and mute dancer whose body becomes her language. Ruchika Sahani portrays Ria, a young woman living with bipolar disorder, capturing emotional volatility without reducing the character to a diagnosis. Tanishka Gujral plays Tanishka, an autistic archer, challenging stereotypes around neuro divergence through discipline and focus. Nirav Purohit, as Albert, a visually impaired singer, brings warmth and confidence, demonstrating how music becomes an extension of perception beyond sight.
Laishram’s use of voiceover narration is measured and effective, functioning as a connective thread rather than a didactic device. The narration guides the audience gently through the film’s emotional landscape while allowing each story to retain its individuality and dignity.
Technically, I AM SPECIAL carries added significance. The film was made while Laishram was pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media in Mumbai, in close collaboration with fellow media students who contributed both as actors and technicians. Shot extensively across Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Imphal, the film employed different teams for each location. Cinematography was handled by Da Naoba, Jackson Naoroibam, Monish Aribam, Suzanna Samson, Link Media, and Jash Shah, resulting in visual textures that subtly reflect the geography and emotional tone of each segment.
The film is produced by Harendra Laishram and co-produced by Caroline Laishram, further reinforcing its deeply personal yet collaborative nature. Notably, I AM SPECIAL is also the first English-language docufiction film made by a Manipuri filmmaker, marking an important milestone in the region’s cinematic journey.
The ending credit song, “THIS IS WHO I AM,” sung and composed by Samuel M, is heartfelt and resonant, echoing the film’s central message. The film premiered internationally on 30th October 2017 in Zagreb, Croatia, during Disability Rights Week, before making its Imphal premiere on 11th May 2018. It was later released digitally on YouTube on 13th June 2018, allowing it to reach a wider audience. Its recognition with the OUT OF THE BOX Award at the Symbiosis Allied Media Awards 2017 further underscores its creative courage and social relevance.
Critically, I AM SPECIAL may not seek visual flamboyance, but its strength lies in ethical clarity and emotional sincerity. Priyakanta Laishram demonstrates a rare ability to step back as a filmmaker, allowing lived realities to take precedence over authorial ego. The film affirms that disability cinema does not need exaggeration to be impactful, only honesty, empathy, and respect.
I AM SPECIAL stands as a socially significant, quietly powerful work, and a reminder of cinema’s responsibility when representing real lives. It also signals that Priyakanta Laishram is not only a bold storyteller but a thoughtful observer of human vulnerability, one whose documentary voice deserves further exploration.
Disability representation in Indian cinema has long struggled to find balance. In a society where disability is still largely viewed through the lenses of pity, fear, or spectacle, genuine disability awareness demands more than surface-level representation. It requires sensitivity, ethical responsibility, and storytelling that listens rather than dictates. Films that achieve this balance are rare. I AM SPECIAL (2017), written, edited, and directed by Priyakanta Laishram, stands out as one such rare work - quiet, sincere, and deeply humane in its approach to disability and difference.
With a runtime of 47 minutes, I AM SPECIAL is a docufiction that interweaves six narratives-two drawn directly from real life and four fictionalised accounts, forming a mosaic of individuals who navigate the world differently, yet with equal emotional depth and agency. This film also marks Laishram’s first and only venture into the docufiction genre so far, and one unmistakably feels that he possesses the instincts of a sensitive documentarian, leaving room to hope for more documentaries in his future filmography.
At the heart of the film lie two real-life stories. One is that of Jibanlata Laishram, the filmmaker’s mother, who battled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) before passing away in 2016. The other is the story of Girish Asotra, a young boy from Chandigarh living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. These narratives ground the film in lived reality, lending it emotional authenticity and moral urgency.
In presenting his mother’s story, Laishram also confronts an uncomfortable social truth, the quiet abandonment faced by many individuals after they become disabled. The film reflects on how even the closest relatives and well-wishers often distance themselves, disguising their withdrawal as emotional helplessness or an inability to witness suffering. Beneath this façade, however, lies a deeper discomfort: a belief that disability diminishes a person’s worth, capability, or relevance. I AM SPECIAL articulates this painful reality with honesty, exposing a form of neglect that is socially normalised yet rarely acknowledged.
The film’s four fictional narratives extend this thematic concern with equal sensitivity. Bhani Khamnam delivers a moving performance as Bhani, a deaf and mute dancer whose body becomes her language. Ruchika Sahani portrays Ria, a young woman living with bipolar disorder, capturing emotional volatility without reducing the character to a diagnosis. Tanishka Gujral plays Tanishka, an autistic archer, challenging stereotypes around neuro divergence through discipline and focus. Nirav Purohit, as Albert, a visually impaired singer, brings warmth and confidence, demonstrating how music becomes an extension of perception beyond sight.
Laishram’s use of voiceover narration is measured and effective, functioning as a connective thread rather than a didactic device. The narration guides the audience gently through the film’s emotional landscape while allowing each story to retain its individuality and dignity.
Technically, I AM SPECIAL carries added significance. The film was made while Laishram was pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media in Mumbai, in close collaboration with fellow media students who contributed both as actors and technicians. Shot extensively across Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Imphal, the film employed different teams for each location. Cinematography was handled by Da Naoba, Jackson Naoroibam, Monish Aribam, Suzanna Samson, Link Media, and Jash Shah, resulting in visual textures that subtly reflect the geography and emotional tone of each segment.
The film is produced by Harendra Laishram and co-produced by Caroline Laishram, further reinforcing its deeply personal yet collaborative nature. Notably, I AM SPECIAL is also the first English-language docufiction film made by a Manipuri filmmaker, marking an important milestone in the region’s cinematic journey.
The ending credit song, “THIS IS WHO I AM,” sung and composed by Samuel M, is heartfelt and resonant, echoing the film’s central message. The film premiered internationally on 30th October 2017 in Zagreb, Croatia, during Disability Rights Week, before making its Imphal premiere on 11th May 2018. It was later released digitally on YouTube on 13th June 2018, allowing it to reach a wider audience. Its recognition with the OUT OF THE BOX Award at the Symbiosis Allied Media Awards 2017 further underscores its creative courage and social relevance.
Critically, I AM SPECIAL may not seek visual flamboyance, but its strength lies in ethical clarity and emotional sincerity. Priyakanta Laishram demonstrates a rare ability to step back as a filmmaker, allowing lived realities to take precedence over authorial ego. The film affirms that disability cinema does not need exaggeration to be impactful, only honesty, empathy, and respect.
I AM SPECIAL stands as a socially significant, quietly powerful work, and a reminder of cinema’s responsibility when representing real lives. It also signals that Priyakanta Laishram is not only a bold storyteller but a thoughtful observer of human vulnerability, one whose documentary voice deserves further exploration.