# Boong (film)

Boong is a 2024 Manipuri film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani and Shujaat Saudagar. The movie stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam in the lead roles. The production companies include Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival under the Discovery section.

## Plot

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

## Cast

* Gugun Kipgen as Brojendro aka Boong
* Bala Hijam as Mandakini
* Angom Sanamatum as Raju Agarwal
* Vikram Kochhar as Sudhir Agarwal
* Modhubala Thoudam as Chaobi
* Jenny Khurai as Singer JJ
* Nemetia Ngangbam as Juliana
* Idhou as Uncle Ibobi
* Hamom Sadananda as L. Joykumar
* Thoudam Brajabidhu as Mani, Pradhan
* Gurumayum Priyogopal as School Principal
* R.K. Sorojini

## Film Festivals

| Festival | Screening date(s) |
| 2024 Toronto International Film Festival | 5, 8, 9 & 13 September 2024 |
| International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada | 26 September 2024 |
| Warsaw International Film Festival 2024 | 11 October 2024 |
| 48ª Mostra International De Cinema São Paolo Int'l Film Festival 2024 | 18 October 2024 |
| MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 | 23 & 24 October 2024 |
| Adelaide Film Festival 2024 | 27 October & 2 November 2024 |
| Tallinn Black Nights Festival 2024 | 8, 11 & 21 November 2024 |
| 25th San Diego Asian Film Festival 2024 | 13 November 2024 |
| 55th International Film Festival of India | 27 November 2024 |
| 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival | 9 February 2025 |
| BUFF International Film Festival, Malmö 2025 | 15 & 18 March 2025 |

## Accolades

| Award | Category | Winner's name(s) | Result |
| International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada | Excellence in Feature Filmmaking | Lakshmipriya Devi | Won |
| 55th International Film Festival of India | Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film | Lakshmipriya Devi | Nominated |
| 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2024, Australia | Best Youth Film | Lakshmipriya Devi, Alan McAlex, Vikesh Bhutani, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Shujaat Saudagar | Won |

## 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." 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."
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." 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."