BAFTA Awards 2026: Boong, a movie backed by noted actor and director Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwan, has become the first Indian movie to taste a win in the Best Children’s and Family Film category at British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards.
The Manipuri-language debut feature is produced by Farhan Akhtar and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. It is co-produced by Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani, Vikesh Bhutani and Shujaat Saudagar. The movie stars Bala Hijam and Gugun Kipgen.
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Boong competed with Arco, Zootropolis 2, Lilo & Stich and Arco.
BAFTA Awards 2026-About Boong
In the discovery section, Boong premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. Since then, the movie has been screened at a series of global festivals, including the eminent 55th International Film Festival of India, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, the Warsaw International Film Festival 2024 and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.
The movie follows the story of Boong, a young boy from Manipur’s valley. The young boy plans to give a gift to his mother so she gets happily surprised. Boong believes that bringing back his father home would be the most cherished gift and goes in search for him. Surprisingly, a new beginning happens during this search.
The movie is a beautiful depiction of a schoolboy who effortlessly navigates border challenges and racial tensions in the state of Manipur, driven by sheer determination and resilience to reunite his family. Boong takes the help of his best friend Raju, a role played by Angom Sanamatum. In the movie, Boong travels to Moreh (the border town) and enters Myanmar to search his father.
About Farhan Akhtar
The son of screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Iran, Farhan Akhtar has starred in many prominent movies such as Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Chahta Hai.
