Guwahati: Lukanand Kshetrimayum—best known as Mister International India 2019 and Mister International 2022—is set to make his acting debut in the upcoming historical feature film Birangana Xaadhani. The film is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Biswajeet Bora, a noted figure in both Assamese and Hindi cinema.
Produced by the Sootiya Development Council under a cultural initiative of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the project is regarded as one of the most ambitious films ever undertaken in Northeast India in terms of scale and production. Scheduled for release later this year in Hindi, Assamese, Telugu and other languages, the film is being positioned for a strong pan-India reach.
Lukanand Kshetrimayum plays Maharaja Nitipal, the last ruler of the Sootiya dynasty—a villager who rose to kingship and became the husband of Queen Sati Sadhani. To prepare for the role, he spent four years in intensive acting and action workshops, training under National School of Drama alumni.
“Portraying Maharaja Nitipal connects me deeply to Assam’s heritage,” Lukanand said. “As a non-Assamese speaker, I have poured my soul into this movie. It is not just a role—it is a responsibility. Bringing such a historical figure alive on screen is profoundly humbling. I thank Shri Biswajeet Bora for entrusting me with this character.”
He added, “Having represented the region internationally, I feel a duty to ensure our history is told with authenticity and respect. This film allows me to present a piece of Assam’s legacy to national and global audiences—something I consider both an honour and a calling.”
Lukanand Kshetrimayum rose to fame after winning Mega Mister North East in 2019, which became a stepping stone to national and international recognition. The same year he was crowned Mister International India. Representing India at the Mister International 2022 pageant in the Philippines, he finished as first runner-up before being officially awarded the Mister International 2022 crown by the global organisation months later.
Beyond pageantry, Lukanand has been active in filmmaking from a young age. His film Nouwa Eikhoibu (2015) received critical acclaim, while Meitan Araba (2019) won Best Feature Film and Best Direction at the Manipur State Film Awards—achievements he earned as a teenager. In 2024, at just 22, he was appointed Managing Director of the Mister International Organization, one of the youngest ever to lead a global pageant brand.
Currently 90% complete, Birangana Xaadhani is expected to release by the end of the year, bringing an untold chapter of Assam’s history to audiences across India.
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