In a historic milestone for Indian regional cinema, the Manipuri-language film “Boong” was honored with the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday,
February 22, 2026. Directed by debutante Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, the film beat out massive Hollywood competitors, including Disney’s Zootopia 2 and the live-action Lilo & Stitch.
This victory marks the first time an Indian production has ever won in this specific category, signaling a significant shift in global recognition for stories from India’s Northeast. The award was presented in a charmingly surreal moment by Paddington Bear, who joked about being the first bear to get marmalade on a BAFTA trophy before announcing the Manipuri gem as the winner.
The film follows the heartwarming yet poignant journey of a young boy named Boong (played by newcomer Gugun Kipgen), who lives in a small village in the valley of Manipur. Driven by a desire to give his single mother, Mandakini (Bala Hijam), the “ultimate gift,” Boong decides to track down his father, Joykumar, who has been missing for years.
Accompanied by his best friend Raju (Angom Sanamatum)—a Marwari boy often viewed as an “outsider” in the local community—Boong’s quest takes him through the lush hills of Manipur, to the border town of Moreh, and eventually across the frontier into Myanmar.
While the film is a coming-of-age fable filled with humor and innocent wonder, it subtly navigates the complex socio-political realities and ethnic tensions of the region, ultimately showing how a child’s simple determination can lead to an unexpected “new beginning” for an entire family.
The win was made even more impactful by Lakshmipriya Devi’s emotional acceptance speech at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Standing alongside Farhan Akhtar, Devi described the journey to the BAFTA stage as “the last few steps of a mountain we never knew we were climbing.” She used the global platform to bring attention to the ongoing unrest in Manipur, which has faced significant conflict and displacement over the last few years.
“We pray for peace to return to Manipur,” she told the star-studded audience, “and we pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in this film, regain their joy, their innocence, and their dreams.” Her plea for the “superpower of forgiveness” resonated deeply with the international press, turning the “small film” into a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
Since its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, Boong has been a critical darling, praised for its “360-degree view of Manipur” and its ability to tell a deeply rooted story that feels universal. For the Indian film industry, the BAFTA win is seen as a “watershed moment” for regional storytelling.
Farhan Akhtar noted that he backed the project because it represented a part of India that is too often ignored by the mainstream Mumbai-based industry. As Boong continues its triumphant run, it stands as a testament to the fact that honest, culturally specific narratives can transcend borders and compete with the world’s biggest blockbusters.
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