Indian film Boong created history at the BAFTA Awards 2026 on Sunday as it won the Best Children and Family Film award. The film was the first Indian title to win big at the BAFTAs.
Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi accepted the award and delivered a powerful speech while praying for ‘peace’ for Manipur.
Lakshmipriya said in the acceptance speech, “Kurumjari, greetings to everyone. The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place. So thank you to the jury members and BAFTA for giving our very small film such big love.”
She added, “A film that is not only rooted in a place which is very troubled, very much ignored and very unrepresented in India, my homeland, Manipur. It's a homage to my homeland. So I just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur.”
She concluded her speech by saying, “We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence and their dream once again. We pray that no conflict is ever formidable enough to destroy the one superpower.”
Also Read: Indian cinema shines as ‘Boong’ and ‘The Perfect Neighbour’ take centre stage ahead of BAFTA Awards
Boong is backed by Farhan Akhtar under the banner of his production house, Excel Entertainment. He co-produced the film with Ritesh Sidhwani.
Farhan, alongside co-producer Ritesh and director Lakshmipriya, attended the star-studded award ceremony. They also posed with life sized animated character, Paddington Bear, on the red carpet.
Also Read: BAFTA awards 2026: Check complete list of winners At The 79th British Academy Film Awards
About Boong
Boong stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam in the lead and follows a young boy named Boong, from the valley of Manipur, 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.
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