The Manipuri-language film Boong, backed by Farhan Akhtar, has won the Best Children’s and Family Film award at the BAFTA 2026 ceremony. The emotional drama competed against international titles such as Arco, Lilo & Stitch, and Zootropolis 2. Director Lakshmipriya Devi accepted the prestigious honour on behalf of the team.

Marking the directorial debut of Lakshmipriya Devi, Boong represents a significant milestone for regional Indian cinema on the global stage. Before this project, she worked as an assistant director on notable Hindi films such as Lakshya and PK. The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under the Excel Entertainment banner, in collaboration with Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures.

The story follows a young boy named Boong, who embarks on a heartfelt journey to reunite his family. Convinced that bringing back his missing father will restore happiness to his mother, Boong sets out with his best friend to the border town of Moreh, eventually crossing into Myanmar in search of answers.

Child actor Gugun Kipgen plays the titular role. Despite being a Kuki-Zo tribal boy, he portrays a Meitei character in the film. The supporting cast includes Bala Hijam Ningthoujam as Boong’s mother, Mandakini, and Angom Sanamatum as his close friend Raju.

While framed as a coming-of-age adventure, the film delicately addresses complex socio-political themes such as racial tensions, insurgency, identity politics, and LGBTQ+ discrimination in Manipur. The production was completed in 2023, reportedly just a week before ethnic violence escalated in the state.

Boong premiered in the Discovery section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and was later screened at the International Film Festival of India, the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, the Warsaw International Film Festival, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

In addition to its BAFTA triumph, the film earned Excellence in Feature Filmmaking at the International South Asian Film Festival in Canada, won Best Youth Film at the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Australia, and secured a Best Actor (Special Mention) for Gugun Kipgen at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Director Lakshmipriya Devi has described the project as a tribute to her homeland, drawing inspiration from her grandmother’s folk tales and her own childhood experiences in Manipur.

Following the BAFTA win, Farhan Akhtar expressed his pride, stating that he has known Lakshmipriya Devi for nearly two decades. He highlighted the importance of supporting stories from regions of India that are rarely represented in mainstream cinema, calling Boong a heartwarming and meaningful film.

The film had a limited theatrical release in India on September 19, 2025, before gaining international recognition with its BAFTA victory.