The Manipuri coming-of-age comedy-drama Boong, backed by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film at the 2026 ceremony held in London on Sunday.



The film’s debutant director Lakshmipriya Devi delivered an emotional acceptance speech after receiving the trophy from Paddington Bear, the beloved character from Paddington The Musical. She was joined on stage by producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, along with assistant director Rahul Sharda.



“The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place,” Devi said.



Using the global platform, she made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Manipur. “We pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence and their dreams once again.



“We pray that no conflict is ever formidable enough to destroy the one superpower that all of us have as human beings — forgiveness. Thank you BAFTA for giving us not only an award but this stage to express our hope,” she added.




A Story Rooted in Manipur



Starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, Boong is a 94-minute film set in Manipur. It follows a young boy who believes that bringing back his absentee father would be the most special gift for his mother. His search takes him on a journey that ultimately reshapes his understanding of family and loss.



The story travels to Moreh, a border town in Manipur, and extends into neighbouring Myanmar, reflecting the region’s complex socio-political landscape. Despite its deeply local setting, the film resonated globally, beating strong international contenders including Lilo and Stitch, Arco and Zootropolis 2.




Star-Studded BAFTA Night



The 2026 British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards were held at the Royal Festival Hall on the banks of the Thames. Bollywood star Alia Bhatt attended as a celebrity presenter, handing out the Best Film Not in the English Language award to Nordic drama Sentimental Value.



Opening her remarks with “Namaste,” Bhatt highlighted cinema’s universal language. “While film speaks in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema,” she said.



On the red carpet, dressed in a glittering Gucci gown, she shared that her greatest inspiration now is her three-year-old daughter. “One of the things I love about cinema is that you don’t have to understand the language — what truly drives it is emotion,” she said.



Among the biggest winners of the night was One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which secured six awards.



BAFTA President Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales were among the chief guests. The Prince of Wales presented the BAFTA Fellowship to Dame Donna Langley, Chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment.