Imphal: As part of a wide-ranging initiative to spark conversation around drug abuse and recovery, the Manipuri narrative fiction film Spaced Out — Panthung Di Kadaaida! is set for special screenings across Punjab and Chandigarh on June 26, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The screenings are being organised through a collaborative effort involving students from Panjab University (Chandigarh), Punjabi University (Patiala), and Khalsa College (Amritsar), in association with prominent de-addiction centres in Patiala, Amritsar, and Panchkula. The film will be showcased simultaneously at various educational institutions and rehabilitation centres in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Moga, Hoshiarpur, and Chandigarh.
Included in the special line-up are also two short films from Haryana and Punjab, selected for their thematic focus on the crisis of substance use among youth: Dhoosar by Satyaveer Dahiya (Haryanvi) and Gham by Lakhwinder Singh Brar (Punjabi).
Directed, written, and headlined by Priyakanta Laishram, the film offers a poignant portrayal of Panthoi, a teenage boy navigating the emotional and societal impact of drug addiction. The film, produced under Priyakanta Productions by Caroline Laishram, blends raw realism with restrained intensity, earning acclaim for its honest and unfiltered storytelling.
The ensemble cast includes Ithoi Oinam, Sachinker Sagolsem, Bhani Khamnam, Biswajit Saikia, Harendra Laishram, and Ramva Leishangthem. While originally made in Meitei (Manipuri), the film has been subtitled in both Punjabi and English to bridge linguistic gaps and reach wider audiences across North India.
First released directly on YouTube on June 1, 2021, Spaced Out created waves, becoming the first narrative fiction film from Northeast India to cross over 5 lakh views within just 48 hours online. Its digital success was matched by critical recognition: Laishram was awarded Best Actor at the Human Rights and Social Issues Film Festival in Tokyo (2019) and received further accolades for Screenplay and Drama Performance at the Wave Festival in Delhi (2020–21).
More than just a regional production, the film has resonated nationally due to its relevance and intensity. Its inclusion in the Punjab-wide awareness drive is seen as a strategic and emotional choice. Simran Gill, one of the student organisers at Panjab University, explained: “It’s not just the subject matter—it’s the emotional clarity of the film that moved us. Even though it’s in a different language, the pain and the hope it carries feel very close to home.”
The day-long screenings are expected to draw audiences that include students, mental health workers, educators, and individuals currently in recovery. The event is designed not only to raise awareness but also to foster empathy, dialogue, and reflection through the medium of cinema.
By spotlighting Spaced Out alongside other regional films, the organisers hope to show how stories from across India’s cultural landscape can unite in addressing a shared crisis—and perhaps help open doors to healing, understanding, and change. The screenings will also include resource-sharing from mental health professionals and rehabilitation experts, offering practical support options for individuals seeking help.
