In 2018, the independent filmmaker released a short film on male sexuality and child sexual abuse. This was not the first time that Laishram has received threats for his work. Martin is not a name that is commonly used,’’ he says. “I changed the name of the character, and chose Martin as his surname…very carefully, after research, so as to not hurt the sentiments of any community.
When Laishram first announced the movie, he says he received threats from the community to which the victim belonged. “In any case, in tribal areas, it is tribal law that holds prevalence, so there is little that the police can do in such situations,’’ Laishram said. A case was never registered and it was deemed a suicide,” he said. That night, after the victim had come home, the brother mixed bleaching powder and ammonia in his milk.
“The victim’s older brother, who was keeping a close watch, followed him to a rendezvous. Laishram says the victim kept a detailed account of what had happened in a journal, which forms the basis of the film.Īccording to Laishram, the two lovers got in touch with each other after several months. The victim’s cousin told Laishram that the boy was subjected to exorcisms and submerged in water in an attempt to re-baptise him.
According to Laishram, the two boys were subjected to conversion therapy by their families.
