Imphal Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the team associated with the Manipuri language film “Boong”, directed by debut filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, on winning the Best Children and Family Film award at the 79th British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) 2026.
“Boong” took home the award for best children’s and family film at the 2026 BAFTA Awards on February 22 in London, beating out Disney’s “Zootopia 2” and others.
On winning the award, Modi, on his official
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand extended his warmest congratulations to Lakshmipriya on winning the 2026 BAFTA Award.
“For her film ‘Boong’ to win the top prize in the Best Children’s and Family Film category is a moment of great pride not only for Manipur but for the entire nation. This prestigious international recognition reflects her exceptional creativity, dedication and commitment to telling meaningful stories,” the Prime Minister said in a social media post.
“Lakshmi Priya Devi has consistently brought laurels through her outstanding work in cinema and this latest honor raises the profile of Manipur’s art and culture on the global stage. On behalf of the people of Manipur, I extend my deep appreciation and best wishes for her continued success. May she continue to inspire generations and bring more pride and glory to our state,” Kemchand said on his Facebook page on social media.
During the awards ceremony at BAFTA, Lakshmipriya Devi started her speech with “Khurumjari (Greetings to all in Manipuri)”. “Boong is a film that is not only rooted in a very troubled, very neglected, very underrepresented place in India, my homeland, Manipur. It’s a tribute to my homeland. So I just want to take this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur,” she said.
“We pray that there will never be a conflict massive enough to destroy the one superpower we all have as human beings, which is tolerance,” Lakshmipriya said.
More than 260 people were killed and more than 60,000 displaced in ethnic violence in Manipur, which broke out in May 2023.
Before winning the BAFTA, the film had won three international awards, namely the 2024 South Asian International Film Festival, Canada in the Excellence in Feature Filmmaking category; 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2024, Australia; In the category of Best Youth Film; Indian Film Festival Melbourne 2025 in the category Best Actor (Male) – Special Mention.
