Boong is a 2024 Indian Manipuri-language coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. It stars Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam, Angom Sanamatum, Vikram Kochhar, Nemetia Ngangbam, Jenny Khurai, and Hamom Sadananda.
The film had its world premiere at the Discovery section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September 2024. At the 79th British Academy Film Awards, it won Best Children's & Family Film, and became the first Indian film to win a BAFTA.
Premise Brojendro, also called Boong is a schoolboy who lives with his mother, Mandakini in Imphal. After his father, Joykumar who left home to run a furniture shop in Moreh, stops contacting the family, Boong, refusing to believe rumours of his father's death, and his best friend Raju embark to find him and bring him back home.
Cast Gugun Kipgen as Brojendro aka Boong Bala Hijam as Mandakini Angom Sanamatum as Raju Agarwal Vikram Kochhar as Sudhir Agarwal Nemetia Ngangbam as Juliana Kipgen Jenny Khurai as Singer JJ Hamom Sadananda as L. Joykumar Thoudam Brajabidhu as Mani, Pradhan Modhubala Thoudam as Chaobi Idhou as Ibobi Gurumayum Priyogopal as School Principal R.K. Sorojini as Sakhi
Production The production companies include Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures. The film was certified by CBFC with a "U" certificate in 2025.
Release It was released in select cities and cinemas at PVR INOX in India on 19 September 2025.
Following its historic achievement as the first Indian production to win the BAFTA Award for Best Children's & Family Film, Boong was re-released in Indian theatres on 6 March 2026. The film was screened across major metropolitan hubs and regional centres, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Imphal at PVR Inox and other major cinema chains.
Film festivals Boong received official selections at various international film festivals held in India and abroad.
Festival Screening date(s) 2024 Toronto International Film Festival 5, 8, 9 & 13 September 2024 International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada 26 September 2024 Warsaw International Film Festival 2024 11 October 2024 48ª Mostra International De Cinema São Paulo Int'l Film Festival 2024 18 October 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 23 & 24 October 2024 Adelaide Film Festival 2024 27 October & 2 November 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Festival 2024 8, 11 & 21 November 2024 25th San Diego Asian Film Festival 2024 13 November 2024 55th International Film Festival of India 27 November 2024 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 9 February 2025 BUFF International Film Festival 2025, Malmö 15 & 18 March 2025 International Film Festival Gorinchem 2025 13 April 2025 Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival 2025 5 & 9 May 2025 17th Habitat Film Festival 18 May 2025 8th Malaysia International Film Festival July 2025 Indian Film Festival, UK 22 & 23 July 2025 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 18 August 2025 National Indian Film Festival of Australia 202618 March 2026
Reception Taylor Gates of Collider opined, "Boong is a rich coming-of-age tale that touches on important issues without ever losing its playful tone or big heart." Siddhant Adlakha of Variety wrote, "Devi, through her gentle approach to Boong’s story, centers an innocence and naiveté under threat from steadily brewing forces. And though she doesn’t train her lens on this steadily evolving scenario, she makes it an ever-present part of her movie’s fabric, as ensuring that this political texture remains inseparable from her intimate personal tale."
Calvin Law of The Asian Cut rated Boong 3.5 out of 5, calling it "a spirited and affecting little yarn" that tenderly explores Manipur's socio-political tensions through the eyes of a child, buoyed by Gugun Kipgen's charming lead performance. Nikhil Akhil of Film Fest Report wrote, "Director Lakshmipriya Devi's debut offers a heartfelt perspective on acceptance and transformation, presenting a 360-degree view of Manipur through the eyes of a curious child." Sahar Junejo of Lyca Radio commented, "Ten minutes into Lakshmipriya Devi's Boong, you immediately understand why Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani backed a film like this. It is such a funny, joyous snapshot of Manipur, you can't help but smile." Aribam Bishwajit of Imphal Review of Arts and Politics praised Boong for its layered depiction of maternal resilience, and socio-political unrest in Manipur, but also pointed out inconsistencies in cultural authenticity, language use, and certain Bollywood-style portrayals.
Boong was included in Firstpost’s list of “Five Manipuri Films You Need to Watch in 2026,” highlighting its recognition within contemporary Manipuri cinema.
Accolades Award Category Winner's name(s) Result International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada Excellence in Feature Filmmaking Lakshmipriya Devi 55th International Film Festival of India Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Lakshmipriya Devi 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2024, Australia Best Youth Film Lakshmipriya Devi, Alan McAlex, Vikesh Bhutani, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Shujaat Saudagar Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 Best Actor (Male) - Special Mention Gugun Kipgen 79th British Academy Film Awards Best Children's & Family FilmLakshmipriya Devi and Ritesh Sidhwani
See also Meitei cinema in Australia Meitei cinema in Canada
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