“Boong,” the debut Manipuri-language feature film, has brought glory to India on the international stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on the social media platform X, congratulated the entire team of “Boong,” saying it was a proud moment for the entire country, especially Manipur, and a reflection of India’s creative talent. “Boong” won the Children’s and Family Film category at this year’s BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), becoming the first Indian film to win in this category. The ceremony was held at London’s Royal Festival Hall, where the film’s team was present. The film is directed by Laxmipriya Devi, and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, and Shujaat Saudagar. It was the only Indian nominated film at the ceremony, beating out international films like “Zootopia 2,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Arco.” Director Laxmipriya Devi, after the win, said that “Boong” means “little boy” in Manipuri. The story is about an innocent child who wants to find a special gift for his mother. He believes that bringing back his long-lost father would be the ultimate gift for her. During this search, his life takes a new direction. Producer Farhan Akhtar shared that he has known Laxmipriya for nearly 20 years, and this is her directorial debut, making this moment even more special. He said that he felt it was right to support a story from a region of India that rarely produces films. The film premiered in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. It has subsequently been screened at major film festivals such as the Warsaw International Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, International Film Festival of India, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. “Boong”‘s win is considered a significant milestone not only for Indian cinema but also for regional language stories.
