Manipuri Film 'Boong' Director Reveals Unique Casting Journey Behind Historic BAFTA Win
Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi is celebrating the monumental achievement of her Manipuri film 'Boong' winning the BAFTA Award for Best Children's and Family Film in 2026. In an exclusive interview, she opened up about the unconventional and grassroots casting process that brought the film's young star, Gugun Kipgen, on board.
A Coming-of-Age Drama Set Against Social Tensions
'Boong' is a poignant coming-of-age drama that follows a young boy named Boong living in Manipur with his mother after his father's mysterious disappearance. Believing that finding his missing father will restore his family's happiness, Boong embarks on a journey with his friend toward the border town of Moreh, even crossing into Myanmar during the search. The story powerfully unfolds against the backdrop of social tensions in the region.
The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and has since screened at prestigious festivals including Warsaw and MAMI Mumbai. Its crowning achievement came in 2026 when it won the BAFTA Award, marking the first time an Indian film has ever won in the Best Children's and Family Film category.
Word-of-Mouth Casting in a Non-Structured Industry
Speaking with IANS from her hometown, Lakshmipriya Devi explained that the entire casting process relied heavily on word of mouth, a necessity given the lack of a structured casting system in Manipuri cinema.
"The whole casting was word of mouth," she stated. "We don't have a structured casting system in Manipur. So it used to be, like, 'Do you know somebody who's, like, this type of a boy?' This was literally the brief given to relatives, friends, whoever we met."
She described a highly organic approach: "Any kid we saw, even in the bazaar, we would be asking them to come and audition. So Gugun came to the audition like this. He was fearless. The moment I met him, he said, 'Oh, I can't do this audition because I don't know the language'. And he looked so cheeky that I knew that I really wanted to give it a try with him."
Discovering the Perfect 'Boong' in Gugun Kipgen
Devi further elaborated on the instant connection she felt with the young actor. "And I chatted with him, and he did that slingshot thing for me, separately, away from the crowd. And we just hung around, he and I could talk like friends. So I knew that I could communicate with this boy," she shared.
She emphasized the importance of this rapport, noting, "It's very important that, I mean, somebody could have been even more perfect than him for the film but if I can't communicate, then what's the point of this?" This personal connection proved vital in shaping the film's authentic emotional core.
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Excel Entertainment alongside independent partners, 'Boong' is a testament to regional storytelling achieving global recognition. The film is currently enjoying a theatrical run, bringing its powerful narrative to wider audiences.
