Mumbai, February 23 – The Manipuri film 'Boong', which recently won the BAFTA award for Best Children and Family Film, is receiving praise from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
On Monday, the CM posted on her X (formerly Twitter) and wrote a note about the film. She wrote, "I am very happy to learn that the Manipuri film 'Boong' has made history at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. Despite all odds, this film was awarded Best Children and Family Film, becoming the first-ever Indian production to win in this prestigious category. My heartfelt congratulations to the entire cast and crew of 'Boong'! You have made the entire nation proud."
'Boong' is a coming-of-age film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. It won the Best Children's & Family Film award at the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards in London. It became the first Indian film to win in this category, surpassing international contenders such as 'Zootropolis 2', 'Lilo & Stitch', and 'Arco'. The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, and others under Excel Entertainment.
The film follows a young boy from Manipur who embarks on a deeply personal and emotional quest to find his missing father, set against the backdrop of social and political tensions in the region. It premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, screened at multiple global festivals, and was released in India in September 2025. At the BAFTAs, director Devi delivered an acceptance speech that included a plea for peace and representation for her homeland.
This comes after the current government in Manipur, led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh of the BJP, was sworn in on February 4, 2026, following a period of President's Rule, with Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho (NPF) also taking office, aiming to restore stability and address community trust deficits.
