Boong director’s BAFTA-winning speech is a powerful call for peace in Manipur
Boong director Lakshmipriya Devi highlighted the ongoing unrest in Manipur during her BAFTA acceptance speech, and used the platform to appeal for peace and hope after her film won the Best Children and Family Film award.
Director Lakshmipriya Devi’s acceptance speech at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA) is a powerful call for peace and hope in her hometown Manipur. scripting history, boong It won the Best Children’s and Family Film award at the ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Center on Sunday night. For those unaware, the film, helmed by Farhan Akhtar, explores the complex social dynamics on the Manipur border, and was recognized for its impactful storytelling and representation of Indian cinema on the global stage.
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boong Beating other notable nominees including productions such as Arco And like Hollywood releases lilo and stitch And Zootropolis 2 (zootopia 2).
Accepting the award, Lakshmipriya Devi shared her surprise and sense of accomplishment, saying, “Walking here felt like the last few steps to reach the summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place.”
During her speech, Devi focused on the situation in Manipur, where recent unrest has led to widespread displacement and disruption. She took the opportunity to make a heartfelt appeal, saying, “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, once again get back their happiness, their innocence and their dreams.”
His speech also highlighted how Manipur is often overlooked in India. She described her film as “not only based in a place that is very turbulent” but also “very neglected and very unrepresented in India, my homeland Manipur.” “It’s a tribute to my motherland,” he said.
The BAFTA platform provided Devi with a major platform to highlight the experiences of children affected by the conflict in Manipur, further underscoring the importance of the film’s message.
Concluding her speech, Devi stressed the importance of resilience and forgiveness, saying, “We pray that no struggle should be so formidable as to destroy the one superpower we all have as human beings, that is forgiveness. So thank you, BAFTA, for giving us not just an award, but this platform to express our hope.”
boong It is based on the life of a young boy struggling with family separation and racial tension, drawn from real challenges faced by communities in Manipur. Its narrative resonated with audiences and critics alike and highlighted the emotional and social realities of the region.
