Here is the detailed feature on the journey of this cinematic marvel.
From "The Book I Couldn't Write" to the Summit
The story of Boong begins with its debutant director, Lakshmipriya Devi. A veteran Assistant Director (who worked on Lakshya, PK, and A Suitable Boy), she originally intended Boong to be a book.
"It’s the book I could not write because of my bad English!" she famously said.
Inspired by her grandmother’s folktales, the film is a "bittersweet memory" of her childhood in Manipur, a place she describes as "troubled, ignored, and unrepresented."
The Plot: A Gift for a Mother
Set against the socio-political unrest of the Manipur-Myanmar border, the film follows a young schoolboy named Boong (played by Gugun Kipgen).
The Mission: Boong lives with his single mother, Mandakini (Bala Hijam), after his father Joykumar disappeared years ago while looking for work.
The Goal: Determined to give his mother "the best gift ever," Boong decides to find his father and bring him home.
The Companion: He is joined by his best friend, Raju, a Rajasthani boy who is seen as an "outsider" in Manipur.
The Journey: The duo travels to the border town of Moreh, navigating racial tensions, military presence, and the heartbreaking realization that sometimes, people choose to stay missing.
Production: A Race Against Time
Produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, along with Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, the film’s production was a miracle in itself.
The Conflict: The film was shot in 2023, finishing exactly one week before the ethnic violence erupted in Manipur.
The Irony: The titular character, a Meitei boy, is played by Gugun Kipgen, who belongs to the Kuki-Zo community. In her acceptance speech, Devi highlighted that her child actors are now among the thousands of internally displaced persons in relief camps.
Authenticity: Aside from five professional actors (including superstar Bala Hijam), the cast consisted of local residents and first-time actors.
The BAFTA Night: A Plea for Peace
The moment Boong was announced as the winner by Paddington Bear (the first anthropomorphized bear to present an award), the Royal Festival Hall fell silent for one of the night's most emotional speeches.
Lakshmipriya Devi, joined on stage by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, used the global platform for a powerful plea:
"The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing. We pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that no conflict is ever formidable enough to destroy the one superpower that all of us have as human beings—forgiveness."
Why It Won
Critics and the BAFTA jury praised the film for its "Universal Specificity." While deeply rooted in the unique culture of Manipur (featuring traditional Thabal Chongba folk dance and local dialects), the themes of childhood resilience, the "insider-outsider" bond, and the longing for a lost parent resonated globally.
Box Office Impact: After its Indian theatrical release on September 19, 2025, the film saw a steady "slow-burn" success. With the BAFTA win, it is now expected to return to select PVR INOX screens for a celebratory re-run.
