The Manipuri movie Boong, supported by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, made India proud by winning the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the BAFTA Awards. In her acceptance speech, Lakshmipriya spoke about the current turmoil in Manipur and conveyed her hopes for peace in her home state.
The director of Boong urges for tranquility and unity in Manipur.
Upon receiving the honor, she started by addressing the audience in her native language, saying, 'Khurumjari! Greetings to everyone. The journey to this point felt like the final steps to the peak of a mountain we didn't realize we were ascending. So, thank you to the jury members and BAFTA for showing such immense love to our small film. A film deeply connected to a region that is troubled, often overlooked, and underrepresented in India, my homeland, Manipur.'
Taking the opportunity to address the situation in her homeland, she stated, "I just want to use this moment to express our prayers for peace to return to Manipur. We hope that all the internally displaced children, including the young actors in the film, can once again find their happiness, innocence, and dreams. Thank you, BAFTA, for providing us not only with an award but also with this platform to share our hopes. Thank you, and have a great evening, everyone."
The 79th British Academy Film Awards took place at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Bollywood actor and producer Alia Bhatt was one of the award presenters at the event, dazzling in a silver gown complemented by a white fur stole.
Concerning the unrest in Manipur
In 2023, violent conflicts erupted due to rising ethnic tensions between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kuki-Zo groups. The clashes resulted in over 260 fatalities and displaced thousands from their homes. Consequently, the state has been effectively partitioned into distinct ethnic zones, with buffer regions overseen by federal security forces.
Regarding Boong
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Shujaat Saudagar, the movie stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam. It debuted in the Discovery section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and has been showcased at various international festivals since then.
The narrative revolves around a young boy from the Manipur valley who aims to astonish his mother with a significant gift. In his naivety, he thinks that reuniting his family by bringing his father back home would be the most wonderful gift. However, his adventure takes him towards an unforeseen yet optimistic fresh start.