India Celebrates Historic BAFTA Win as Manipuri Film Boong Shines Globally

India’s moment of pride at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) was amplified by congratulatory wishes from Prime minister Narendra Modi, who hailed the success of the Manipuri-language film Boong as “a moment of immense joy, especially for Manipur ,” adding that the honour highlights the nation’s creative talent . His message echoed nationwide celebrations after the film secured a historic win at the prestigious ceremony.

Indian cinema found much to celebrate at the glittering event held at the Royal Festival Hall along the River Thames. Among the prominent Indian faces present, actor Alia Bhatt attended as a presenter and drew applause for greeting the audience with “Namaskar” before presenting the award for Best Film Not in the English Language . Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar attended to represent the team behind Boong , underscoring India’s growing cultural footprint at international film events.

The biggest highlight for India came from the Manipuri coming-of-age film Boong , which won the Best Children’s & Family Film award, becoming the first Indian production to triumph in this category. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi , the film tells the story of a young boy searching for his absent father to surprise his mother. Starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam , Boong defeated international nominees including Lilo & Stitch , Arco , and Zootropolis 2 . It was also the only Indian film nominated this year, following Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, which received a nomination last year but did not win.

Accepting the award, director Lakshmipriya Devi used the global spotlight to pray for peace in Manipur , a state affected by ethnic violence . She expressed hope that displaced children, including the film’s young actors, would regain joy, innocence, and dreams, and said she wished that no conflict would overpower humanity’s capacity for forgiveness. In a backstage interaction, she revealed that the film drew inspiration from her grandmother’s folk tales , which comforted her during a troubled childhood marked by distant gunfire. She described Boong as an urban reimagining of those stories, offering warmth and emotional safety while serving as personal closure.

Producer Farhan Akhtar said supporting the film “felt right,” noting that cinema from the region is rarely seen by wider audiences. The win triggered congratulatory messages from leaders across India, including N. Biren Singh and Mamata Banerjee , both of whom described the victory as a matter of national pride and recognition for meaningful filmmaking.

There were other poignant Indian moments during the ceremony. As singer Jessie Ware performed “The Way We Were,” veteran actor Dharmendra was honoured in the In Memoriam segment, drawing emotional responses from viewers. Bhatt, dressed in a Gucci gown , highlighted the universality of cinema while presenting the Best Film Not in the English Language award, eventually won by Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value.

The star-studded ceremony also celebrated major global winners. Oscar frontrunner One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner with six awards, while Sinners and Frankenstein secured three prizes each. Yet for Indian audiences, the night will be remembered for Boong’s historic triumph, heartfelt calls for peace, and a renewed global spotlight on regional storytelling from India.