Lakshmipriya Devi Reflects on BAFTA Win for 'Boong' and Its Impact on Manipur

Celebrating a Milestone for Manipuri Cinema

Mumbai, Mar 9: Lakshmipriya Devi's recent BAFTA award for her film Boong serves as a significant reminder of Manipur's cultural presence, urging audiences to carry this newfound awareness forward. She expressed a desire to return to a more low-profile life after this recognition.

In an interview, she noted, "Film festivals like BAFTA have initiated awareness, suggesting that there exists a place called Manipur, and films like this extend beyond the Bollywood indie scene. However, it is now up to the viewers to take this knowledge and apply it."

Boong tells the poignant story of a young boy's quest to find his father amidst the turmoil of Manipur, marking it as the first Indian film to receive an award at the prestigious BAFTA ceremony held annually in London.

The film was honored in the Best Children's and Family Film category last month, a testament to its impactful narrative.

Having grown up in Imphal, Lakshmipriya is still processing the enormity of her achievement. "I was in a daze. My first thought was about the weight of this recognition and how much excess baggage it might entail," she shared with a laugh.

Despite her success, she mentioned feeling unchanged, stating, "I want to retreat further into the background and not let this recognition affect me too much."

Processing her emotions takes time, she explained. "Since returning, I've been inundated with work, leaving me little time to reflect. I believe it will truly sink in when I finally have a moment to myself," she added.

While the film's initial creation was relatively smooth, the post-production phase was prolonged due to the ongoing societal and political unrest in her home state. "I struggled to edit the film for a long time, often breaking down at the sight of the footage, especially knowing that many locations featured in the film were now devastated," she recounted.

Set against the backdrop of Manipur's racial tensions, Boong follows a determined schoolboy on his journey to reunite with his father, aiming to surprise his mother.

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment, the film features Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam in leading roles.

As the niece of celebrated Manipuri author MK Binodini Devi, Lakshmipriya has been involved in the Hindi film industry since the early 2000s, working as an assistant director on notable films like Luck by Chance, Lakshya, and PK.

A significant influence for Boong was her grandfather's longing for his father, who lived in exile in Myanmar. She often documented her thoughts about his stories, which eventually transformed into a script.

"I was writing to express my feelings. My experience as an assistant director helped shape the story into a film, which I felt compelled to direct myself," she explained.

After sharing her concept with producer Vikesh Bhutani, who was affiliated with Excel Entertainment, the project gained traction, leading to the involvement of Akhtar and Sidhwani.

"I didn't face any dramatic struggles; it might sound unbelievable, but my journey was relatively straightforward," she remarked.

Boong delves into themes of love, discrimination, and belonging through the child's emotional journey. "I wanted to convey my experiences and thoughts on friendship, discrimination, and new beginnings through this film," she stated.

While she admires filmmakers like Sai Paranjpye, she clarified that her film is not intended to be political. "This is not a political film; it tells the story of a boy in a challenging environment. If someone interprets it as political, that's their perspective," she noted.

Reflecting on the film's production, Lakshmipriya highlighted the diverse ethnic backgrounds of the cast and crew, emphasizing their sense of community during the conflict.

Despite the accolades, she is not rushing to capitalize on her BAFTA success. Currently residing in Mumbai, she plans to celebrate with her team and eventually return to Manipur to screen the film with local audiences.

Her immediate focus is on quieter pursuits—sleeping, reading works by her favorite authors like George Orwell and Arundhati Roy, and taking on scheduling jobs.

Boong had a limited theatrical release in September of last year and was re-released on March 6, buoyed by its recent BAFTA win.