Indian cinema has just etched a golden chapter in global film history, and it is not a big-budget Bollywood blockbuster or a massive South Indian action saga leading the charge. Instead, it is a heartwarming, modest-budget indie film from the northeastern corner of the country.
At the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026, filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi became the first Indian director to win the prestigious Best Children’s & Family Film award for her Manipuri-language debut feature, ‘Boong’.
Beating out massive Hollywood studio giants like Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Zootropolis 2 (Zootopia 2), her victory has sent waves of immense pride across India. From her deeply emotional acceptance speech calling for peace to her viral red-carpet fashion statement, here is the complete breakdown of Lakshmipriya Devi’s monumental achievement.
The David vs. Goliath Victory at BAFTA
Backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, alongside Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, Boong is a coming-of-age comedy-drama.
- The Plot: The story revolves around a young schoolboy named Boong (played by Gugun Kipgen) from the Manipur valley. In an innocent attempt to surprise his mother with the ultimate gift, he sets off on a journey near the Myanmar border to find his missing father and reunite his family.
- The Milestone: Despite competing against heavily funded Western animation and live-action blockbusters, the BAFTA jury awarded Boong for its deeply rooted storytelling, emotional depth, and raw authenticity. When Lakshmipriya walked onto the stage to receive the trophy from the iconic Paddington Bear, she officially became the first Indian director to conquer this specific category.
An Emotional Plea for Peace in Manipur
While the win itself was historic, it was Lakshmipriya’s deeply moving acceptance speech that captured the hearts of the global audience. Taking the microphone, she began by greeting the crowd in her native tongue, saying, “Khurumjari!”
Addressing the violent ethnic clashes that have devastated her home state since 2023, she dedicated the moment to the displaced people of Manipur.
“I just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur,” she stated gracefully. “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 that all of us have as human beings, that is forgiveness.”
Her poignant words immediately went viral, drawing praise from audiences and politicians alike, including Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh, who lauded her for bringing global attention to the region’s struggles.
Making a Cultural Statement on the Red Carpet
Lakshmipriya didn’t just bring India to the BAFTA stage through her film; she brought it through her wardrobe. In a sea of Western designer gowns, she stood out beautifully by choosing to wear a Payal Khandwala kaftan paired with a traditional Manipuri Moirang Phee inaphi (a handwoven shawl).
The simple, elegant, and deeply symbolic outfit was a quiet but powerful nod to her roots, proving that authentic cultural representation doesn’t need to shout to be noticed.
From Bollywood Assistant to Global Winner
Before making her triumphant directorial debut, Lakshmipriya Devi spent nearly two decades quietly working behind the scenes in the Hindi film industry. She served as a First Assistant Director on landmark Bollywood films like Farhan Akhtar’s Lakshya (2004), Rajkumar Hirani’s PK (2014), and Reema Kagti’s Talaash.
Her win triggered a massive outpouring of love from Bollywood’s elite:
- Farhan Akhtar, who stepped up to produce the film, dedicated the BAFTA win to “the dreamers,” praising her for creating a heartwarming gem.
- Kangana Ranaut, who worked with Lakshmipriya over a decade ago on the film Game, shared a heartfelt tribute: “Whispers on the sets were that LP is made for greatness. Your time is here my friend, you have no idea how much honour/respect you have brought to the entertainment industry, India and the North East.”
- Other prominent figures like Karan Johar, Shekhar Kapur, and Zoya Akhtar also flooded social media with congratulatory messages.
Where to Watch ‘Boong’ on OTT?
With all the massive global buzz, Indian audiences are eagerly searching for where to stream the film. Despite a massive festival run (including the Toronto International Film Festival and MAMI Mumbai) and a limited theatrical release in September 2025, Boong is currently not available on any major OTT platform in India. While it was briefly available on MUBI during its festival circuit, streaming rights for a wider digital release are highly anticipated to be announced soon following this massive BAFTA victory.
The Verdict: The Power of Authentic Storytelling
Lakshmipriya Devi’s Boong proves that you do not need a ₹500 crore budget or heavy CGI to win on the world stage. By looking inward and telling a deeply personal story rooted in a frequently ignored region of India, she has delivered a universal message of hope and forgiveness. Her victory is a watershed moment for independent and regional Indian cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Lakshmipriya Devi? Lakshmipriya Devi is an Indian filmmaker from Manipur. She recently made history by becoming the first Indian director to win the BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film for her debut feature, Boong. Prior to directing, she worked for nearly 20 years as an Assistant Director on major Bollywood films like Lakshya and PK.
2. Which film did Lakshmipriya Devi win a BAFTA for? She won the prestigious award for her 2024 Manipuri-language coming-of-age film, ‘Boong’.
3. What is the movie ‘Boong’ about? Boong follows the story of a young boy from the Manipur valley who sets out on a journey to find his missing father in order to bring him home as a surprise gift for his mother.
4. Who produced the movie ‘Boong’? The film is co-produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Excel Entertainment, along with Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures.
5. Is the movie ‘Boong’ available on Netflix or Amazon Prime? As of February 2026, Boong is not available to stream on any major OTT platform in India. Fans are awaiting an official digital release announcement following its BAFTA win.
6. What did Lakshmipriya Devi say in her BAFTA speech? During her acceptance speech, she made an emotional plea for peace to return to her conflict-hit home state of Manipur, dedicating the award to internally displaced children and calling “forgiveness” a human superpower.
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