On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the acclaimed 2021 Manipuri non-feature narrative fiction film SPACED OUT – Panthung Di Kadaaida! will be screened across Punjab and Chandigarh on June 26, 2025.
The initiative is being organised by students of Panjab University (Chandigarh), Punjabi University (Patiala), and Khalsa College (Amritsar), in collaboration with three leading de-addiction centres based in Patiala, Amritsar, and Panchkula. The screenings will take place at colleges and rehabilitation centres in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Moga, Hoshiarpur, and Panjab University, aiming to use cinema as a medium to spark dialogue on substance abuse and recovery.
Alongside SPACED OUT, two short films from Haryana and Punjab will be screened as part of a specially curated programme addressing the growing crisis of drug addiction, particularly among youth.
Directed, written, edited by — and starring — Priyakanta Laishram, SPACED OUT – Panthung Di Kadaaida! tells the harrowing story of Panthoi, a teenager battling the consequences of drug addiction. The film delves into the emotional, social, and psychological toll of substance abuse, offering a raw and empathetic portrayal of addiction.
The cast features Ithoi Oinam, Sachinker Sagolsem, Bhani Khamnam, Biswajit Saikia, Harendra Laishram, and Ramva Leishangthem. Produced by Caroline Laishram under Priyakanta Productions, the film was originally made in Meitei (Manipuri) and has been subtitled in both Punjabi and English for accessibility across the region.
The film has earned critical acclaim, with Laishram winning Best Actor at the Human Rights & Social Issues Film Festival in Tokyo (2019). It also received nominations in categories including Best Supporting Actor (Sachinker Sagolsem), Best Supporting Actress (Bhani Khamnam), and Best Screenplay (Priyakanta Laishram). Additionally, Laishram bagged Best Actor in Drama and Best Screenplay at the Short & Non‑Feature Motion Pictures Wave Festival in Delhi (2020–21).
Released directly on YouTube on June 1, 2021, SPACED OUT became a digital sensation in Manipur, crossing over five lakh views within 48 hours—a first for a film from Northeast India. The film has been widely lauded for its bold, socially conscious narrative and forms part of Laishram’s larger body of work that explores themes like disability, child sexual abuse, queer identity, and gender-based violence.
Simran Gill, a student organiser from Panjab University, said, “We included SPACED OUT in our programme not just because of the topic, but because of how powerfully it tells the story. Even though it’s a Manipuri film, the emotions, the struggles, and the message are so relatable. It’s a film that makes you pause and reflect. That’s exactly what we wanted to achieve with this initiative.”
Ahead of the screenings, Priyakanta Laishram expressed both gratitude and a deep personal connection to the region. “I am truly honoured that SPACED OUT is being screened across Punjab and at Panjab University, which played such a defining role in my life. Chandigarh is very close to my heart—I completed my senior secondary education and Sociology degree here. It’s where I found the courage to tell stories that mattered to me. To have my film return here, with a purpose aligned with why I made it, is incredibly special.”
The screenings are expected to bring together students, educators, healthcare professionals, and individuals undergoing rehabilitation.
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