Boong trailer: Follow a young boy's cross-border quest to bring his father home in this BAFTA-winning masterpiece
BAFTA winner Boong returns to theatres March 6, 2026. Lakshmipriya Devi’s Manipuri debut follows a boy’s quest for his father, marking a historic global win for Indian cinema.
Last Updated: 01.41 PM, Mar 04, 2026
Returning to theatres on March 6, 2026, after its historic win at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), Boong is the debut feature film by writer-director Lakshmipriya Devi. In the Best Children's & Family Film category, the Manipuri-language film triumphed over big worldwide names such as Arco, Lilo & Stitch, and Zootopia 2, becoming the first-ever Indian production to do so.
What is the heart of the story and who is involved?
Featuring Gugun Kipgen as a young schoolboy from a Manipur village, Boong was produced by Excel Entertainment (Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani), in partnership with Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures. Boong embarks on a quest to select the ideal gift for his mother (Bala Hijam), and he believes that a reunion with his father, who has been absent for a long time, would be the ultimate gesture of kindness.
Boong and his best buddy Raju, portrayed by the "outsider" Angom Sanamatum from Rajasthan, travel to the border town of Moreh, close to the Myanmar border, as seen in the film's trailer. Set against the background of socio-political unrest and under-represented narratives of Northeast India, the story deftly examines the power of optimism, the tenacity of families, and the innocence of children.
How has Boong been received globally?
With its world premiere at TIFF 2024 and subsequent screenings at the International Film Festival of India and the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, among others, Boong has had a fruitful festival run. The BAFTA victory is a watershed moment for Indian cinema, demonstrating the increasing international acclaim for regional storytelling that comes out of India.
With the film's theatrical re-release just around the corner, director Lakshmipriya Devi used the opportunity to thank the audience for their support and to call for calm in Manipur, her native state. During her acceptance speech at the BAFTAs, she said, "I just want to use this opportunity to say that 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."
Why should you see Boong upon its return?
When Boong makes its theatrical return on March 6, 2026, you won't want to miss a moment of its enchantment.
Boong FAQs:
Q: Which award did Boong win at the 2026 BAFTAs?
A: Boong made history at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) by winning the award for Best Children's & Family Film. It is the first Indian production ever to win in this category, notably beating out major international blockbusters like Zootopia 2 and Lilo & Stitch.
Q: Who is the director of Boong?
A: Boong is the debut feature of writer-director Lakshmipriya Devi. Before her directorial debut, she worked as an assistant director on major Bollywood productions like Lakshya and PK.
Q: When is the Boong movie release date in India?
A: Following its historic BAFTA win and successful international festival run, Boong is scheduled for a wide theatrical re-release in India on March 6, 2026.