Question — Q.85
Consider the following statements with regard to the film ‘Boong’:
1The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children’s and Family Film category.
2The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.
3This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children’s and Family Film category.
A1, 2 and 3 ✓
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D3 only
Each Statement — Verified from PIB, Newsonair, Wikipedia
1
✓ Correct — BAFTA Children’s & Family Film 2026
The film won the BAFTA Award in the Children’s and Family Film category
Confirmed. Boong won the Best Children’s and Family Film award at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA 2026), held in London on 22-23 February 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall.The award was presented by Paddington Bear (the character from the West End show Paddington The Musical). Boong beat international competition including Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, and Arco (French sci-fi film) to claim the award.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, along with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) officially congratulated the team via a PIB press release dated 25 February 2026.
✓ 79th BAFTA Awards, 2026 · Best Children’s and Family Film · Royal Festival Hall, London
Competed against: Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, Arco · Award presented by Paddington Bear · Boong was the only Indian film nominated in this category
2
✓ Correct — Lakshmipriya Devi is the director
The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi
Confirmed from all sources. Lakshmipriya Devi (also known as LP Devi) is the director of Boong — it is her debut feature film. She studied at Miranda House, University of Delhi, and worked as an assistant director for over a decade (including on Kangana Ranaut’s film “Game”).The film was produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment), along with Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, and Shujaat Saudagar. The film was spearheaded by four women, a point highlighted at the BAFTA ceremony.
In her acceptance speech, Devi said: “The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach the summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place. We pray for peace to return in Manipur.”
✓ Lakshmipriya Devi — Debut director · Miranda House Delhi alumna
Producer: Farhan Akhtar + Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment) · Film in Manipuri language · Stars: Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam · Premiered: TIFF 2024
3
✓ Correct — First Indian film to win BAFTA in this category
This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children’s and Family Film category
Confirmed from multiple authoritative sources. The Hollywood Reporter India headlined: “BAFTAs 2026: ‘Boong’ Wins Best Children’s and Family Film, Becomes First Indian Winner.” Wikipedia states: “Boong made history by becoming the first Indian film to win in that category.”The film is also described as the only Indian film nominated in the category at BAFTA 2026. This milestone is especially significant as the film represents Northeast India — the Manipuri-language film brought global recognition to a region that is often underrepresented in mainstream Indian cinema.
✓ Historic — First Indian film ever to win BAFTA Best Children’s & Family Film
Manipuri-language film · Represents Northeast India · PIB: “This landmark achievement marks a proud moment for Indian cinema” · Also selected at TIFF 2024 and IFFI 2024 (Best Debut Director)
Film ‘Boong’ — Complete Fact Sheet for UPSC
| Parameter | Detail |
| Film | Boong — Manipuri-language coming-of-age drama |
| Director | Lakshmipriya Devi (LP Devi) — Debut feature · Miranda House, Delhi alumna |
| Producer | Farhan Akhtar + Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment) + Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Shujaat Saudagar |
| Cast | Gugun Kipgen · Bala Hijam · Young child actors from Manipur |
| Story | A young Manipuri boy (Boong) and his best friend Raju journey to find his missing father, navigating ethnic tensions and conflict in Manipur |
| Award | BAFTA 2026 — Best Children’s and Family Film · 79th British Academy Film Awards · Royal Festival Hall, London · Feb 2026 |
| Historic | First Indian film to win BAFTA in the Children’s and Family Film category · Only Indian film nominated in this category at BAFTA 2026 |
| Competed against | Zootopia 2 · Lilo & Stitch · Arco (French sci-fi) · All international productions |
| Premiere | Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 · Also screened at IFFI 2024 (selected under Best Debut Director) |
| Significance | Represents Manipur and Northeast India · Made during ethnic conflict in Manipur · Lakshmipriya used acceptance speech to pray for peace in Manipur |
Memory Trick
🧠 Boong — Three Facts All Correct
Boong = BAFTA 2026, Children’s & Family Film: BAFTA = British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 79th BAFTA Awards (2026). Category: Best Children’s and Family Film. Held at Royal Festival Hall, London. Award presented by Paddington Bear.
Director = Lakshmipriya Devi (debut): LP Devi — first film. Worked as assistant director for a decade before this debut. Produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment. “Boong + Farhan + BAFTA” is the key triad.
First Indian film in this BAFTA category: Historic first for India. Manipuri-language film from Northeast India — making global history. Beat Hollywood productions Zootopia 2 and Lilo & Stitch. PIB called it “a proud moment for Indian cinema.”
