West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended her heartfelt congratulations to the cast and crew of the Manipuri film ‘Boong,’ which has recently achieved a historic milestone by winning a BAFTA award. Directed by debutant Lakshmipriya Devi, the film, a coming-of-age story set in Manipur, was honored with the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) ceremony held in London on Sunday. This accomplishment is particularly significant as ‘Boong’ became the first Indian production to win in this prestigious category, succeeding against formidable international competition, thereby marking an important achievement for Indian cinema on a global scale.
In a post shared on X, Chief Minister Banerjee expressed her delight, stating, “I am very happy to know that the Manipuri film ‘Boong’ has scripted history at the 2026 BAFTA Awards.” She emphasized, “Against all odds, this film was crowned Best Children and Family Film, becoming the first ever Indian production to win in this prestigious category.” She further congratulated the team, declaring, “My heartiest congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Boong! You have made the whole nation proud.”
The film has received acclaim not only from political figures but also from prominent filmmakers such as Karan Johar, Shekhar Kapur, and Kangana Ranaut, who recognized Devi’s achievement, viewing it as a breakthrough moment for regional cinema from India’s Northeast. ‘Boong’ was produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under the banner of Excel Entertainment and had previously premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, further elevating its profile in the international film landscape. The film competed against several notable productions, including ‘Arco,’ ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ and ‘Zootropolis 2’ in the BAFTA nominations.
