Manipuri.film.Boong bags Best Children’s and Family Film award at BAFTA
Reportedly, at
the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards event held in London on Sunday evening, Lakshmipriya Devi’s Manipuri film ‘Boong’ bagged the Best Children’s and Family Film award. Although congratulatory messages poured in for the team, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur batted for the film, stating that it was better than the films that won in the main categories.
Shekhar Kapur went.on to say that Boong was better than the films that won in main categories for BAFTA.
Reportedly in September 22, 2025, Shekhar had posted his review of Boong on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The funniest, most heartwarming, the most heartbreaking film he has seen in a long time. And yet it packs a solid political punch. Manipuri director, Laxmipriya shows us how it’s done. Don’t miss it.” Reposting his review, he now wrote, “Congratulations to Laxmipriya for winning the BAFTA for the best family film.”
Shekhar also believed that Boong would have fared better at BAFTA had westerners understood the nuances, writing. He thought BOONG was better than the films that won the main awards. It’s just that it’s so rooted in Indian culture and politics that the westerners did not get it. That’s why it’s important to make our film awards more significant at the Global level.
Farhan Akhtar is one of the producers of the film, which had its world premiere at the Discovery section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Both Farhan and Lakshmipriya were at the ceremony to receive the award. The film traces to a young boy named Boong, from Manipur valley who plans to surprise his mother with a gift. In his innocence, he believes that bringing his father back home would be the most special gift. His search for his father leads to an unexpected gift;
a new beginning.
Other winners at BAFTA 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Regina Hall and Teyana Taylor, won the Best Film award at BAFTA, while Chloé Zhao’s Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley-starrer Hamnet won Outstanding British Film. Norwegian film Sentimental Value won the Best Film Not in the English Language award.
The Best Lead Actor and Actress awards went to Robert Aramayo for I Swear and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet. One Battle After Another emerged as the clear frontrunner, winning awards in numerous categories, including Best Film, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing and Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. It was followed by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which took home three awards.
News Edit KV Raman
