At the 79th British Academy Film Awards held in London, director Lakshmipriya Devi utilized her spotlight to advocate for peace in Manipur, her native state. Devi’s film “Boong,” backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, clinched the Best Children’s & Family Film award, shining a light on the northeastern Indian region on a global scale.
In her acceptance speech, Devi commenced in her mother tongue by expressing gratitude to the jury and BAFTA for showering their modest film with immense love. She emphasized that the film is deeply rooted in Manipur, a troubled and overlooked region in India, calling for peace to be restored and for displaced children, including those in the film, to rediscover happiness and dreams.
The prestigious event took place at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with renowned Bollywood figure Alia Bhatt among the presenters. “Boong,” directed by Devi and produced in collaboration with Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, and Shujaat Saudagar, features Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam. The film debuted in the Discovery section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and has garnered attention at various global festivals.
The narrative revolves around a young Manipuri boy striving to reunite his family by bringing his father back home, believing it to be the ultimate gift for his mother. The storyline unfolds into an unpredictable yet hopeful journey, blending childhood innocence with a poignant exploration of family dynamics and displacement.
Devi’s poignant address shed light on Manipur’s plight, grappling with ethnic conflicts since 2023. The clashes between the Meitei majority and tribal Kuki-Zo groups have led to numerous fatalities, mass displacements, and an ethnic partition of the state under federal security supervision. This turmoil has kept Manipur largely marginalized in Indian media and cinema, a gap that “Boong” aims to fill by offering a personal, human-centered perspective.
By utilizing the global platform of BAFTA, Devi not only celebrated her film’s accolade but also amplified the narratives of affected children and families. Her speech underscored cinema’s potential to raise awareness and humanize conflicts often sidelined in mainstream discussions.
“Boong” is receiving widespread acclaim for its poignant storytelling and its ability to strike a balance between cultural specificity and universal themes of family, hope, and resilience. Critics highlight Devi’s work for bridging regional cinema with international audiences, providing insight into a lesser-seen facet of India on the world stage.
