In a landmark moment for Indian regional cinema, Boong has won the Best Children's & Family Film award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) 2026. The Manipuri film beat international titles like Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, and the French sci-fi film Arco to win the award.
Here's a closer look at the film's cast, plot and crew:
Plot: A Young Boy's Journey Amid Unrest
Set in Manipur, Boong follows a young schoolboy who believes the greatest gift he can give his mother is to bring his absent father back home. What begins as an innocent plan slowly unfolds into a deeper journey shaped by border tensions, identity struggles and fractured family dynamics.
Told through a child's lens, this 94-minute film delicately captures the layered realities of life in Manipur while retaining warmth, humour, and emotional honesty.
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Cast: A Strong Line-Up
At the heart of the film is Gugun Kipgen, who plays Boong (Brojendro). His performance, in particular, has been widely praised for its natural charm and emotional depth.
He is supported by:
- Bala Hijam as Mandakini
- Angom Sanamatum as Raju Agarwal
- Vikram Kochhar as Sudhir Agarwal
- Nemetia Ngangbam as Juliana Kipgen
- Jenny Khurai as Singer JJ
- Hamom Sadananda L. Joykumar
Crew- The Team Behind The Success
Boong is written and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi in her feature debut. It is produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Alan McAlex, Vikesh Bhutani and Shujaat Saudagar under the banners of Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures.
Key crew members include:
- Cinematography: Tanay Satam
- Editing: Shreyas Beltangdy
- Music: Zubin Balaporia and Ronid Chingangbam
From Manipur To The World Stage
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before travelling to multiple international festivals, including Warsaw, Tallinn Black Nights, Adelaide Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai, and the International Film Festival of India.
Before its BAFTA win, Boong secured the Best Youth Film award at the 17thAsia Pacific Screen Awards in Australia. It also won recognition at the International South Asian Film Festival in Canada and earned a nomination for Best Debut Director at the 55th International Film Festival of India.
The BAFTA victory now positions Boong as one of the most internationally celebrated films from Manipur, spotlighting regional Indian storytelling on a global platform.
Also Read: Farhan Akhtar-Backed Manipuri Film Boong' Wins BAFTA Award In London
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