Manipur’s Boong wins BAFTA for best children’s & family film; govt hails it as a triumph of hope

GUWAHATI: The Manipur government on Monday hailed filmmaker Laxmipriya Devi’s Boong winning the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the BAFTA Awards as “a victory not just for cinema, but for hope.”The weeks-old government under new chief minister Y Khemchand described the film as “rooted in the soil of Manipur” and “a tribute to a homeland that remains resilient despite hardship.”Applauding Devi’s emotional speech at the London ceremony, the government said, “In her powerful words, she prayed for peace to return to Manipur and for internally displaced children — including the young actors of the film — to regain their joy, innocence and dreams. Her message was clear and moving: no conflict should ever overpower humanity’s greatest strength — forgiveness.” Calling it a historic milestone, the government noted that Boong, the first Indian film to win the BAFTA in this category, has brought global recognition to Manipur’s vibrant film industry.The film, starring Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam Ningthoujam and Angom Sanamatum, tells the story of a schoolboy navigating racial tensions and border challenges in Manipur, driven by resilience and determination to reunite his divided family, the government of the a state where ethnic fault lines from the three-year-old ethnic conflict run deep, stated.“Beyond its cinematic excellence, Boong also reflects the spirit of collaboration among artistes from different communities in Manipur, underscoring how storytelling can foster understanding and shared cultural pride,” the government added.For Manipur, the BAFTA triumph is being seen not just as an international honour, but as a symbol of resilience and hope at a time when the state seeks peace and reconciliation under its new leadership.