Boong review: Lakshmipriya Devi’s BAFTA winning film is an impactful coming-of-age story you don’t want to miss out on!

The story portrays the political tensions in Manipur through the lens of an innocent child which makes this film a rather compelling watch!

Boong review: As a woman in her late 20s who was born and brought up in a big city like Mumbai, there was little to no information that I had about an isolated state like Manipur. And the same goes for my peers, my colleagues and even my family members. Even in 2026, not many are aware of the political unrest the state has been entangled in. That is exactly why a film like Boong becomes important to not only make us aware of what happens in our own country but also highlight the fact that there’s more to Indian cinema than just Bollywood. We have impactful, never seen before and profound stories coming from every region possible and it’s high time we gave them their due credit!

Set in Manipur, the story revolves around a happy-go-lucky, free-spirited boy named Boong(Gugun Kipgen). He is an ace at slinging and his pranks in school leave his teachers thinking how to handle him and leave his classmates laughing at him. But back at home, tensions arise as his father, Joykumar, who left to find work in the border city of Moreh suddenly stops returning the family’s calls and is soon rumoured to be dead. On one hand he has his mother, Mandakini (Bala Hijam) who tries to hold it together but obviously is disturbed by the situation in their house and on the other hand, his uncle is keen on stealing property that belongs to his family, in his father’s absence. So little Boong and his best friend, Raju (Angom Sanamatum) sneak out on an adventure to Moreh to find and bring his father back so he can see a smile on his mother’s face again. 

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But the story isn’t just a coming-of-age adventure tale about two boys. It shows us many underlying issues about Manipur and class divide in general, which many of us would be privy to in our daily lives. For instance- Boong’s best friend, Raju is discriminated against in school due to his complexion and the way he looks as his family migrated to the north east from the state of Rajasthan. Which ironically compares to how most of India has been treating north easterners since the dawn of time. When Boong moves to a fancier school, the rich kid in class boasts about her vacations while that’s clearly not the case for Boong. As he and his friend go out looking for answers, they realize there could be more to his father’s story in Moreh and maybe he was indeed indulging in rebellious activities across town. 

The film also portrays how an entire state where Hindi cinema was banned so that Manipuri films and their culture could flourish better grew up with way different pop culture references than the rest of India. It also reminds you of Taika Waititi’s JoJo Rabbit where heavy themes were told through the lens of a kid that looked at the world a little differently than the rest. Kipgen and Sanamatum bring much needed lightness to a story that could easily sink into its heavier themes. 

Overall, Boong is a story that will tug at your heart but also make you realize that the Manipur we don’t often talk about is the same Manipur that has put India on the global map through its nuanced storytelling in this film. Director Lakshmipriya Devi through her gentle approach to the story sheds light on important issues without being melodramatic. It is the perfect mix of wholesome yet a heartbreakingly beautiful film that deserves a spot on your watchlist!

Boong won Best Children's & Family Film at the 79th British Academy Film Awards and became the first Indian film to win a BAFTA. It is currently playing at a theatre near you!

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