Feb 23, 2026 12:51am IST
BAFTA Awards 2026: ‘Boong’ Wins Best Children’s And Family Film
In a big moment for Indian cinema, the Manipuri film “Boong” has won the Best Children’s and Family Film at BAFTA Awards 2026. The movie was directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, while Excel Entertainment were the producers. Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Dandekar, Ritesh Sidhwani were present for the ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall. Farhan Akhtar posed with the team to celebrate this landmark occasion. “Boong” was a coming-of-age story told with a lot of imagination. Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar had posed earlier on the red carpet. The film was set around the political unrest in Manipur and how a child tries to reunite his family.
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"Boong" took home the laurel in a category that had other contenders like "Arco," "Lilo & Stitch," and "Zootopia 2." Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani both wore classic suits for this occasion. Lakshmipriya Devi was in a silk salwar kameez. "Boong" has done its rounds of the festival circuits in India and abroad. It was selected at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. The story is about a boy who wants to bring back his father from the Myanmar post home to his father. The movie stars Gugun Kipgen, Vikram Kochhar, Bala Hijam, Hamom Sadananda and Angom Sanamatum in main roles.
Could not be happier for #LaksmipriyaDevi & the cast of crew of #Boong .. massive congratulations to them for creating a beautiful and heartwarming gem of a film and this recognition.
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) February 23, 2026
Feel so proud to be a part of this film and to see it honoured on the @BAFTA stage was truly… pic.twitter.com/QFNAskjsvF
Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi said winning the award felt like they had climbed the summit of a mountain. She thanked BAFTA for giving love their "small film". Talking about "Boong," she said that Manipur does not find much representation in India and this movie was an effort to throw light on how political unrest had destroyed peace and happiness in the lives of common people. Lakshmipriya Priya said forgiveness was a human superpower and she hoped the children would one day regain their joy and innocence.
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