Kol to host spl screening of Manipuri BAFTA winner

Kolkata: The Manipuri community in Kolkata is arranging for a BAFTA treat for the city as the members are set to organise a special screening of ‘Boong' on Saturday. The Manipuri film has scripted history by winning a BAFTA for the Best Children's and Family Film 2026, becoming the first and only Indian movie to win a BAFTA award.The film is releasing pan India this Friday. But the Manipuri community in Kolkata was uncertain about its screening in any of the Kolkata theatres, it being a regional-language movie. This prompted the Manipuri in Kolkata (MIK) to approach theatres in the city with a request for a special screening. "Given the huge demand among our community in Kolkata for the film's screening, we approached three to four theatres, seeking a special screening. Miraj Cinema responded. We all are looking forward to the Saturday screening," said Rojit Keisham, general secretary, MIK.‘Boong' is a story of a young boy's search for his missing father. In a quest to bring his father to his mother as a surprise gift, the boy embarks on a risky journey from Imphal to the Myanmar border. Boong, as the protagonist is called, is played by Gugun Kipgen, a Kuki by ethnicity, while director Lakshmipriya belongs to the Meitei community. The coming-of-the-age drama had wrapped up shooting in the border town of Moreh only a few days before the ethnic violence broke out between the two communities in May 2023. Moreh turned out to be among the worst-hit areas. The sounds of gunshots and the bloody fight between the two communities may have stopped, reconciliation is yet to be reached. Lakshmipriya, in her BAFTA award acceptance speech, prayed for peace in Manipur.Other cast members for the film include Bala Hijam, Angom Sanamatum, and Vikram Kochhar. Lakshmipriya has worked for various Bollywood movies; this was her debut Manipuri film, which was backed by the likes of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. "When MIK proposed the special screening, we agreed not only because it won a BAFTA award but also because we need to encourage regional-language films. I am sure Kolkata, which loves art and films, will have enough viewers," said Pradipta Paul, manager of Miraj Cinema, New Town.Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was among the various public figures, including PM Narendra Modi, who took to social media to congratulate Team ‘Boong' after its BAFTA win.