Manipuri director unearths untold story of Japanese soldiers in India during World War II

In March 1944, the Japanese 15th Army under Lieutenant-General Renya Mutaguchi mounted a full-scale invasion on India via Manipur and Nagaland. Under the 'U-Go Offensive', these troops reached the gates of Imphal and Kohima, and it appeared it would not be long before they reached the Brahmaputra Valley. Only one force stood in its way — the British Indian Army. In the ensuing battles, the Japanese suffered immense losses. As many as 60,000 lay dead, with the defenders losing some 13,500 men. By July, the Japanese had retreated to Burma. But some decided to stay back. Now, 68 years later, a Manipuri film is set to highlight this aspect of the Great War.

Mohen Naorem's My Japanese Niece traces the fascinating journey of discovery of a young Japanese woman, Asada, who comes to Manipur to pay homage to her uncle who was presumed dead in that campaign. Here, she learns about an old man who resembled her lost uncle, but who had died a few months earlier. She discovers many unpublished letters and diaries elaborating the trials and tribulations of the Japanese soldiers in India.

Historically, the theory that Manipuris liked and helped the Japanese has surfaced for the first time. "Japanese soldiers of World War II have always been depicted as savage people committing atrocities on the conquered. But from whatever information we could glean from people who lived to tell the tale of that invasion, we learnt that the troops were nice to the locals. We thought it fair to show the other side," says Naorem, the director of this Indo-Japanese venture that will be shot in 35mm, unlike the digital format on which Manipuri cinema thrives.

Of course, that would cost Naorem a fortune — Rs 1 crore — but would also credit him with making the most expensive Manipuri film ever. Naorem says the idea germinated when the March 2011 earthquake in Japan saw a flurry of relief activity in Manipur. "Our people's emotional connection with the Japanese came out in the open then. We started a Facebook community to raise funds. That promoted interaction with the Japanese. Then in January this year, a Japanese delegation came to Assam to exhume and take away the remains of 11 Japanese soldiers killed in World War II. That bolstered my idea for a movie," he says.

But given the dismal record of period films in India in recent years, Naorem isn't entirely hopeful of doing brisk business. "I'm looking at the international market, especially South-East Asia and the Far East as the cast comprises Japanese, Korean and Chinese artistes. I will dub the movie into Japanese and English."

London-based Japanese actor Junichi Kajioka will play the role of the lost soldier, while Osaka-based actor Yu Asada will play the eponymous niece. This is not Kajioka's maiden attempt at the role of a Japanese soldier; he has acted in war films such as Devils on the Doorstep, City of Life and Death, and recently, The Flowers of War featuring Christian Bale.

But why a Manipuri film? "War films in general tend to portray Japanese soldiers as ruthless killers. It is more difficult to show the humane side of soldiers and their dignity in extreme circumstances. My Japanese Niece will focus on this aspect," he says, adding that he has been reading several works on the Battle of Imphal to prepare for it.

Realistic portrayal was a big concern for Naorem. "We had to recreate Manipur of the 1940s, so we had to venture deep inside the pristine forests. The next big thing was to design battle gear, costumes and weapons of the Japanese soldiers in Manipur. Fortunately, Kajioka guided me to the right people and now we have an international team looking into the bare details," says the director.

For Yu Asada, the project has given her a chance to visit India and learn Manipuri. "I have been learning the language since July but I wouldn't say my progress has been fantastic. Nevertheless, the experience has been fascinating," she says.

The shoot is slated to begin in October-November and the film will be released in August next year to coincide with Japan's surrender in 1945.