Guwahati, July 19 -- Veteran Manipuri filmmaker, actor and music director Oken Amakcham passed away on Saturday following a prolonged illness. His death has been widely mourned, with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh leading tributes to the celebrated filmmaker.

In a condolence message posted on X, the Chief Minister described Amakcham as one of the pioneers of Manipuri cinema whose creative contributions had enriched the state's cultural landscape. He conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Born on March 1, 1962, at Kongba Kshetri Leikai in Imphal East district, Amakcham developed an interest in theatre and the performing arts after graduating from Dhanamanjuri C...