Facing a seven-year-old ban on Bollywood films by insurgent groups, the cinema lovers in Manipur have developed a fascination for Korean films.

Though Manipur has a film industry, but it produces only a couple of 35 mm films a year.

Digital films have also come up in a big way to bridge this gap.

It was, however, the youthful, romantic and family feel in the South Korean movies that has drawn a lot of movie buffs here.

Sanjay Singh, a shopkeeper, said: 'Hindi films are not available here. They are banned here. So people opt for Korean movies. English (Hollywood) movies are popular too. But Korean movies sell better. Manipuri films are also popular, especially the latest releases. But on the whole, Korean movies are way ahead.'

From college students to the elderly, Korean cinema appears to have made inroads into the minds of Manipuris beyond age.

Kanto, another shopkeeper, said: 'Earlier young girls and boys would go for such movies which are mostly love stories. But now women, men, and elderly alike, everyone watches them along with their families.'

Korean sops and series had already found their way into the lives of the locals through the telecasting of a Korean channel. Now their movies too are selling like hot cakes.

Many believe the popularity of Korean cinema could be because of a bit of similarity found in their culture and the simple narrative styles.

Sonia Devi, a housewife, said: 'While watching they are more simple... I don't know how to explain but it's good for the family to watch. They are very simple and we can learn a lot from them. I hope someday they (Korean artists) will come to Manipur and hold some concert. It would be a very pleasing (experience) for me.'

Insurgent groups have imposed a ban on the screening of Hindi language films since November 2000. The separatist groups contend that Bollywood films are affecting their local culture.

--- ANI