‘We pray Manipur’s children regain their joy’: Boong director Lakshmipriya Devi after historic Bafta win

Lakshmipriya Devi, director of the Manipuri film Boong, centred her Bafta acceptance speech on a heartfelt prayer for Manipur amid its ongoing conflict. "We pray for peace to return to Manipur," she told the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall.

 

"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."

 

Her words underscored the film's roots in a strife-torn region, amplifying Boong's historic milestone as the first Indian film to win best children and family film at the 2026 Baftas. The victory spotlights Manipur's underrepresented stories and boosts Indian cinema globally.

 

Producer Farhan Akhtar, joining Devi on stage with co-producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Alan McAlex and others, noted his 20-year connection to her. "This film is set in a region of India from which we rarely get to watch films," he said. "It was nice to support that, and it's a very heartwarming story."

 

The story tracks a young Manipuri boy named Boong, who embarks on a quest to bring his missing father home as a gift for his mother. His innocent plan sparks profound change. As the only Indian entry, it outshone Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch and Arco.

 

Backed by Akhtar, Sidhwani, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex and Shujaat Saudagar, Boong premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival's Discovery section. It later featured at Warsaw 2024, MAMI Mumbai 2024, the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.