Kangana Ranaut Applauds Lakshmipriya Devi's BAFTA Triumph for Manipuri Film 'Boong'
In a significant milestone for Indian cinema, actor, filmmaker, and politician Kangana Ranaut extended heartfelt congratulations to director Lakshmipriya Devi on her remarkable achievement. Devi's Manipuri movie 'Boong' secured the prestigious Best Children's & Family Film award at the 79th BAFTA Awards, marking a proud moment not only for the filmmaker but also for the entire film industry in Northeast India.
A Heartfelt Tribute on Social Media
On Monday, Kangana Ranaut took to her Instagram account to praise Lakshmipriya Devi and her dedicated team. She wrote, "Congratulations @lp_devi and the entire team of Boong for this award, you spoke so well and look great." The actress further elaborated on her long-standing professional bond with Devi, recalling their collaboration over a decade ago on the film 'Game.'
In a deeply personal message, Kangana expressed, "Dear LP, when we first worked together more than a decade ago, you were my first AD on a film called 'Game,' whispers on the sets were that LP is made for greatness. Your time is here my friend, you have no idea how much honour/respect you have brought to the entertainment industry, India and the north east. Wish you the best. Keep shining."
Industry Peers Join in Celebrating the Victory
Filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar also extended their warm congratulations to Lakshmipriya Devi, adding to the chorus of appreciation from the Indian film fraternity. Upon receiving the award, Devi delivered a poignant speech on stage, reflecting on the journey and the broader significance of the win.
She stated, "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. So, thank you to the jury members and BAFTA for giving our very small film such a big love. A film that is not only rooted in a place which is very troubled, very much ignored, and very unrepresented in India, my homeland, Manipur."
Devi further emphasized her hopes for peace and recovery in Manipur, saying, "So, just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence, and their dreams once again. So, thank you, BAFTA, for giving us not only an award, but this stage to express our hope. Thank you, and have a wonderful evening everyone."
A Landmark Achievement for Regional Cinema
Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, 'Boong' represents a breakthrough for Manipuri and Northeast Indian cinema on the global stage. This BAFTA win underscores the growing recognition of diverse narratives from India, highlighting the talent and resilience of filmmakers from underrepresented regions.
The success of 'Boong' at such a prestigious international awards ceremony serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers across the country, demonstrating that stories from all corners of India can resonate worldwide. It also brings attention to the cultural richness and social issues of Manipur, fostering greater awareness and dialogue.
As celebrations continue, this achievement is set to encourage more investment and support for regional cinema, paving the way for future accolades and storytelling excellence from India's diverse cinematic landscape.
