In a proud moment for Indian cinema, the Manipuri-language feature Boong emerged as the sole Indian winner at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), securing the honour in the Best Children and Family Film category on Sunday (February 22).
Marking her directorial debut, filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi used the global platform at London’s Royal Festival Hall to spotlight the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur while accepting the award.
“[Boong] is rooted in a place which is very troubled, very much ignored and very unrepresented in India. We pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children including the child actors in the film regain their joy, innocence and dream once again. We pray that no conflict is ever formidable enough to destroy the one superpower that all of us have as human beings, which is forgiveness,” Devi said.
The film narrates the poignant journey of a young boy, Boong (Gugun Kipgen), who sets out to find his father as a surprise gift for his mother. Through the lens of childhood innocence, the narrative unfolds against the complex socio-political realities of Manipur.
Boong premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024 and subsequently travelled to prominent global platforms including the Warsaw International Film Festival 2024, the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, the 55th International Film Festival of India, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.
Despite critical acclaim on the festival circuit, the film had a limited theatrical release in India in September 2025.
A Call for Empathy and Inclusion
Ahead of its India release, Devi had emphasised the urgency of greater awareness and understanding about the Northeast region. “After the ongoing war in Manipur for more than two years and the general ignorance in mainland India about North East, I feel a painful urgency to educate or share with my countrymen about us, so that they can be more empathetic and we can feel more inclusive.”
The film has been backed by a team of noted producers, including Farhan Akhtar, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Shujaat Saudagar.
Context of Conflict
In May 2023, just weeks after filming concluded in Manipur, the state was engulfed in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Since then, nearly 260 people have lost their lives and over 60,000 have been displaced, underscoring the real-life backdrop against which the film’s message of hope and reconciliation resonates globally.
With its BAFTA triumph, Boong not only marks a milestone for regional Indian cinema but also amplifies a heartfelt appeal for peace, empathy and healing from a region yearning for stability.
‘Boong’ Triumphs at BAFTA 2026; Lakshmipriya Devi Makes Poignant Appeal for Peace in Manipur
In a proud moment for Indian cinema, the Manipuri-language feature Boong emerged as the sole Indian winner at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), securing the honour in the
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In a proud moment for Indian cinema, the Manipuri-language feature Boong emerged as the sole Indian winner at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), securing the honour in the
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"‘Boong’ Triumphs at BAFTA 2026; Lakshmipriya Devi Makes Poignant Appeal for Peace in Manipur"
— Reported by Dipaneeta Das
