Boong (film)

Last updated

Boong
Boong Film Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLakshmipriya Devi
Written byLakshmipriya Devi
Produced by Farhan Akhtar
Vikesh Bhutani
Alan McAlex
Ritesh Sidhwani
Shujaat Saudagar
StarringGugun Kipgen
Bala Hijam
CinematographyTanay Satam
Edited byShreyas Beltangdy
Music byZubin Balaporia (original score)
Akhu Chingangbam (original score)
Production
companies
Excel Entertainment
Chalkboard Entertainment
Suitable Pictures
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 5 September 2024 (2024-09-05)(TIFF)
  • 19 September 2025 (2025-09-19)(India)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryIndia
Language Meiteilon (Manipuri)

Boong is a 2024 coming-of-age Indian Manipuri language film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani and Shujaat Saudagar. [1] [2] [3] The movie stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam in the lead roles. [4] [5] The production companies include Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures. [6] [7] The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival under the Discovery section. [8] [9] [10] The film was certified by CBFC with a "U" certificate in 2025. [11]

Contents

Plot

Boong, along with his friend Sanamatum, ventures out on a journey to reunite his family. It serves as his mother's unexpected gift.

Team Boong at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025 Team Boong, a Manipuri feature film.jpg
Team Boong at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025

Cast

Film Festivals

Boong got official selections at various international film festivals held in India and abroad.

FestivalScreening date(s)Ref.
2024 Toronto International Film Festival 5, 8, 9 & 13 September 2024 [12]
International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada26 September 2024 [13]
Warsaw International Film Festival 202411 October 2024
48ª Mostra International De Cinema São Paolo Int'l Film Festival 202418 October 2024 [14]
MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 23 & 24 October 2024 [15]
Adelaide Film Festival 202427 October & 2 November 2024 [16]
Tallinn Black Nights Festival 20248, 11 & 21 November 2024 [17]
25th San Diego Asian Film Festival 202413 November 2024 [18]
55th International Film Festival of India 27 November 2024 [19]
2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 9 February 2025 [20]
BUFF International Film Festival 2025, Malmö15 & 18 March 2025 [21]
International Film Festival Gorinchem 202513 April 2025 [22]
Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival 20255 & 9 May 2025 [23]
17th Habitat Film Festival18 May 2025 [24]
8th Malaysia International Film Festival July 2025 [25]
Indian Film Festival, UK22 & 23 July 2025
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 202518 August 2025 [26]

Release

It was released in select cities and cinemas at PVR INOX in India on 19 September 2025. [27]

Reception

Taylor Gates of Collider opined, "Boong is a rich coming-of-age tale that touches on important issues without ever losing its playful tone or big heart." [28]

Siddhant Adlakha of Variety wrote, "Devi, through her gentle approach to Boong’s story, centers an innocence and naiveté under threat from steadily brewing forces. And though she doesn’t train her lens on this steadily evolving scenario, she makes it an ever-present part of her movie’s fabric, as ensuring that this political texture remains inseparable from her intimate personal tale." [29]

Calvin Law of The Asian Cut rated Boong 3.5 out of 5, calling it "a spirited and affecting little yarn" that tenderly explores Manipur’s socio-political tensions through the eyes of a child, buoyed by Gugun Kipgen’s charming lead performance. [30]

Nikhil Akhil of Film Fest Report reviewed, "Director Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut offers a heartfelt perspective on acceptance and transformation, presenting a 360-degree view of Manipur through the eyes of a curious child." [31]

Sahar Junejo of Lyca Radio commented, "Ten minutes into Lakshmipriya Devi’s ‘Boong’, you immediately understand why Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani backed a film like this. It is such a funny, joyous snapshot of Manipur, you can’t help but smile." [32]

Aribam Bishwajit of Imphal Review of Arts and Politics praised Boong for its layered depiction of maternal resilience, and socio-political unrest in Manipur, but also pointed out inconsistencies in cultural authenticity, language use, and certain Bollywood-style portrayals. [33]

Accolades

AwardCategoryWinner's name(s)ResultRef.
International South Asian Film Festival 2024, CanadaExcellence in Feature FilmmakingLakshmipriya DeviWon [34]
55th International Film Festival of India Best Debut Director of Indian Feature FilmLakshmipriya DeviNominated [35]
17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2024, AustraliaBest Youth FilmLakshmipriya Devi, Alan McAlex, Vikesh Bhutani, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Shujaat SaudagarWon [36]
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025Best Actor (Male) - Special MentionGugun KipgenWon [37]

References

  1. ↑ Anirudh Bhattacharyya. "Indian director Lakshmipriya Devi's 'Boong' premieres at TIFF". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Banner year for Indian women directors at Toronto film festival". Hindustan Times. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "'Boong' : A debut film by Manipuri filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi". e-pao.net. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "Director Lakshmipriya Devi: 'Boong' is inspired by tales of my grandmother". daijiworld.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  5. ↑ "Cinematic triumph 'Boong' premiered at Toronto International Film Festival". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "'Boong' premiered at Toronto International Film Festival". Imphal Times. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  7. ↑ ASEEM CHHABRA. "A Film From Manipur That You Must See". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  8. ↑ "TIFF - Boong - Lakshmipriya Devi - WORLD PREMIERE". tiff.net. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "Manipuri film Boong to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival 2024". northeastlivetv.com. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  10. ↑ SUNZU BACHASPATIMAYUM (14 September 2024). "Cinematic Triumph 'Boong' Premiered at Toronto International Film Festival". Imphal Review of Arts & Politics. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  11. ↑ "Censor Certificate". Central Board of Film Certification. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani-backed film Boong to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Boong – Opening Night Feature - ISAFF 2024". isaff.ca. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  14. ↑ "Boong - 48ª Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo". 48.mostra.org. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "Boong - Focus South Asia - Jio MAMI Film Festival 2024". www.mumbaifilmfestival.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Boong - 2024: Adelaide Film Festival". www.adelaidefilmfestival.org. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Boong - Estonian Premiere - Tallinn Black Nights Festival 2024". poff.ee. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  18. ↑ "Boong – 2024 San Diego Asian Film Festival". sdaff.org. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "55th International Film Festival of India: Cinema Without Borders". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  20. ↑ Navin Upadhyay (27 January 2025). "Imphal Film Festival Unveils Diverse Lineup with 57 Films, Showcasing Manipuri Classics". powercorridors.in.
  21. ↑ "Competition: best children's film 2025". BUFF. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  22. ↑ "Boong - IFFG". IFFG.nl.
  23. ↑ "Boong - Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival". barnefilmfestivalen.no.
  24. ↑ "Two Manipuri films to be screened in Habitat film festival". www.uniindia.com.
  25. ↑ "Manipuri film Boong to feature in "Special Focus on Indian Women Filmmakers" at Malaysia International Film Festival". Imphal Times. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  26. ↑ "Farhan Akhtar-backed Manipuri film, Boong selected as the Spotlight Film of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025". Indulge Express. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  27. ↑ "Manipuri film Boong to release in theatres on this date; check details here". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  28. ↑ Taylor Gates (17 September 2024). "'Boong' Review: A Charming and Nuanced Coming-of-Age Adventure - TIFF2024". collider.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  29. ↑ Siddhant Adlakha (16 September 2024). "'Boong' Review: A Small Coming-of-Age Tale on India's Eastern Border Disguises Larger Politics". variety.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  30. ↑ Law, Calvin (7 September 2024). "'Boong' Shines as a Promising Directorial Debut". The Asian Cut. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  31. ↑ Niikhiil Akhiil (10 September 2024). "TIFF 2024: Boong (by Lakshmipriya Devi) - Review". film-fest-report.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  32. ↑ SAHAR JUNEJO (11 September 2024). "TIFF 2024 Movie Review: 'Boong'". www.lycaradio.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  33. ↑ "Award Winning "Boong" is a Film about a Boy's Dream, a Mother's Strength and a Society's Truth". Imphal Review of Arts and Politics. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  34. ↑ "EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE FILMMAKING: The International South Asian Film Festival of Canada 2024 proudly announces two remarkable films..." www.instagram.com. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  35. ↑ "IFFI 2024 announces Official Selection for 'Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film' Category - 5 Debut Feature Films by Indian Directors to compete at 55th IFFI". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  36. ↑ "Asia Pacific's Highest Accolade in Film". www.asiapacificscreenawards.com. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  37. ↑ Abhimanyu Mathur. "IFFM Awards 2025 winners list: Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound wins big; Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat nab acting prizes". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
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