Inside the BAFTA 2026 Nominations: How Manipuri Film ‘Boong’ Made History

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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has nominated the film Boong for the Best Children’s and Family Film at the BAFTA 2026 awards. This Manipuri-language drama is the only Indian movie on the list this year. It was produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani through their company, Excel Entertainment. This news is a huge win for regional Indian cinema. It puts a small story from Manipur on the same stage as famous global movies.

A Simple Story Captures the World’s Attention

The movie was directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. It tells the story of a young boy living in a small village in Manipur. He decides to go on a long journey to find his missing father. He wants to bring his father home as a special gift for his mother. The film is very moving and shows the beauty of family love.

The director previously worked on big movies like PK. This experience helped her make a high-quality film on a smaller budget. Farhan Akhtar’s support gave the movie the resources it needed to reach an international audience. Before this nomination, the film was already a hit at the Toronto International Film Festival. Now, the whole world is talking about this quiet and powerful story.

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How to Watch the Film and the Impact of the BAFTA 2026 Nod

Many people want to know where they can watch the film right now. Boong had a small release in Indian theaters late last year. As of the BAFTA 2026 nomination, it will soon be available on a major streaming service. Most experts believe it will arrive on a platform like Amazon Prime or MUBI by mid-2026.

This nomination is also great news for local businesses in Manipur. It shows that movies filmed in Northeast India can be successful everywhere. Over the next six months, more filmmakers will likely start projects in this region. This will bring more jobs and money to the local film community. The success of Boong proves that you do not need a massive budget to tell a world-class story.

The award ceremony will take place in London on 22 February 2026. This event is a major moment for Indian creators. It shows that small, local stories can compete with giant Hollywood studios. Even if the film does not win the top prize, it has already made history. It has opened a new door for regional storytellers to share their work with the entire world.

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