The acclaimed Manipuri film Boong, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, is set to release in select Indian theatres on September 19, 2025, via PVR INOX cinemas. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, alongside Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, the film stars young Gugun Kipgen as Boong and Bala Hijam as his mother, Mandakini. Following its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and a spotlight at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, this poignant coming-of-age drama weaves a tale of childhood resilience against Manipur’s socio-political backdrop. Shot in Imphal and Moreh, it brings Manipuri cinema to a wider Indian audience in the ₹101 billion entertainment industry.
A Heartfelt Journey Rooted in Manipur
Boong follows a mischievous schoolboy, Brojendro, aka Boong (Gugun Kipgen), who embarks on a quest with his friend Raju (Angom Sanamatum) to find his missing father, Joykumar (Hamom Sadananda), hoping to gift his mother Mandakini a family reunion. Set in a Manipuri village and the border town of Moreh, the story blends innocence with the region’s ethnic tensions, touching on xenophobia and identity. Inspired by Devi’s childhood and her grandmother’s folktales, the film opens with Boong’s antics—like reciting Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” during school prayers—before diving into his heartfelt adventure. Certified “U” by the CBFC, it’s a family-friendly tale with a 3.5/5 rating from The Asian Cut for its “spirited, affecting yarn.”
Lakshmipriya Devi’s Directorial Triumph
Devi, a Meitei filmmaker who left Imphal at age 10, channels her roots into Boong, her debut after assisting on Bollywood hits like PK and Luck by Chance. “Boong is the book I couldn’t write because of my bad English,” she told, describing it as a tribute to Manipur’s resilience. Shot just before the 2023 ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, the film, with its diverse cast (Kuki-Zo actor Kipgen as a Meitei boy), serves as a “bittersweet time capsule” of Manipur’s unity. Its authentic locales and local crew amplify its cultural depth, earning praise at TIFF, IFFM, and the Malaysia International Film Festival for its nuanced portrayal of childhood amid unrest.
Critical Acclaim and Festival Glory
Premiering at TIFF 2024’s Discovery section, Boong won hearts for its vibrant storytelling. Variety’s Siddhant Adlakha lauded Devi’s “gentle approach,” weaving political textures into a personal tale, while Film Fest Report called it a “heartfelt perspective on acceptance.” At IFFM 2025, it was the Spotlight Film, with festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange praising its “bold yet intimate” narrative. Kipgen’s slingshot-wielding charm and Sanamatum’s poignant Raju, facing prejudice as a Rajasthani “outsider,” anchor the film. Aribam Bishwajit noted minor cultural inconsistencies but hailed its depiction of maternal resilience. Its 8.7/10 IMDb rating reflects global appeal.
-By Manoj H