Boong: A Heartfelt Journey to BAFTA Glory

A Remarkable Achievement for Manipuri Cinema

Few films manage to transition from nomination to victory as seamlessly as Boong, a poignant Manipuri film that has left audiences in tears and joy. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, this cinematic treasure made history by becoming the first Indian film to secure a BAFTA in the Children and Family category.

For those unfamiliar, Boong's success is not a new phenomenon. Since its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, it has shattered the 'one-inch tall barrier' of subtitles, garnering accolades such as Excellence in Feature Filmmaking at the International South Asian Film Festival 2024 in Canada and Best Youth Film at the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2024 in Australia. Despite its BAFTA nomination, the director expressed that she had no specific strategy and attributed the film's remarkable journey to its inherent qualities. Embracing a mindset of 'master of no expectations,' she had not anticipated any particular outcome at the BAFTA awards. This blend of humility and lack of expectations has resulted in a film that resonates deeply, transcending personal experiences to touch universal emotions.

One of the film's young stars, Gugun Kipgen, connected with a scene where he steals his mother's mobile phone to call his father. Interestingly, after a TIFF screening, a man from Toronto reached out to the director, sharing that he found closure through the film, despite being a grown adult. Following the BAFTA win, she hopes for peace in her beloved, strife-torn homeland of Manipur.

The BAFTA accolade will not alter her beliefs or approach. If Boong was created in the 'perfect time zone,' she anticipates that her next project will emerge just as organically. Before the BAFTA, she humorously noted, "Had I made the same film when I began my career in Mumbai as an assistant director, Boong might have featured countless songs, possibly not even in Manipuri." However, this win has spotlighted the need for stories rooted in local culture, particularly from often-overlooked regions. Growing up with her grandmother's folk tales and guidance from her aunt, MK Binodini Devi, who wrote films like Ishanou and Imagi Ningthem, Lakshmipriya is illuminating Manipuri cinema. The modest director believes Bollywood still has stories to tell and is open to returning to her role as an assistant director until a new narrative calls to her. For now, we celebrate the triumph of Boong, which has outshone major international films, making us proud and delighted.