QUIRKY Manipuri coming-of-age comedy-drama ‘Boong’, produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the prestigious BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film in London on Sunday. The film’s debutant director, Lakshmipriya Devi, made an emotional plea for peace in her acceptance speech after receiving the coveted trophy from Paddington Bear, the lead character starring in the West End show ‘Paddington The Musical’. She was joined on stage by producers Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and the assistant director of ‘Boong’, Rahul Sharda. “The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place,” said Devi. “Just want to use this opportunity to say that 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, their innocence and their 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, that is forgiveness. So, thank you BAFTA for giving us not only an award but this stage to express our hope,” she said.

 

The Manipuri film, starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, beat international competition from other nominees ‘Lilo and Stitch’, ‘Arco’ and ‘Zootropolis 2’. The star-studded 2026 British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall by the river Thames, included Bollywood star Alia Bhatt as a celebrity guest presenter for the Best Film not in the English Language trophy for Nordic drama ‘Sentimental Value’. She opened with “Namaste” and after a few Hindi words, switched to English to note that “while film speaks in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema”. Manipuri film Boong’s BAFTA win a moment of immense joy: PM Modi: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Manipuri film “Boong” winning the prestigious BAFTA award was a moment of immense joy, especially for the northeastern State.

 

“Boong”, a coming-of-age comedy-drama produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards Award for Best Children’s & Family Film held on Sunday evening in London. “Congratulations to all those associated with this film. This is indeed a moment of immense joy, especially for Manipur. It also highlights the immense creative talent in our nation,” Modi wrote on ‘X’.

 

The Manipuri film, starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, beat international competition from other nominees Lilo and Stitch’, Arco’ and Zootropolis 2’. Lakshmipriya’s BAFTA win a moment of immense pride for entire nation: Manipur CM: CHIEF Minister Y Khemchand Singh said director Lakshmipriya Devi’s film ‘Boong’ is a moment of immense pride not only for Manipur but for the entire nation. Singh extended his heartiest congratulations to Lakshmipriya Devi on her remarkable achievement at the British Academy of Film & Television Awards (BAFTA) 2026. “Smt Lakshmipriya Devi’s victory at the 79th BAFTA 2026 exemplifies her commitment to impactful filmmaking, with ‘Boong’ claiming the top honour in the best children & family film category, bringing accolades to Manipur and India,” the CM said in a post on Facebook.