Boong is a Manipuri-language coming-of-age drama film that was first released in Indian theatres on 19 September 2025. Written and directed by debut filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, and backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, the film had a very limited theatrical run at select PVR INOX screens across major cities in India. There were no big stars, no grand promotions, and no commercial machinery behind it. Just an honest, heartfelt story from the northeast, made with genuine love and craftsmanship.
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In its initial September 2025 run, the film played mostly for niche audiences — cinema lovers, northeast Indians living in bigger cities, and families who had heard about it through the international film festival circuit. The word of mouth was warm and positive, but the footfalls were modest, as expected for a limited-release regional independent film.What completely transformed Boong’s story was the 79th British Academy Film Awards held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 22 February 2026. The film won the BAFTA for Best Children’s and Family Film, defeating major international titles like Zootopia 2, Lilo and Stitch, and Arco — making Boong the first Indian film in history to win a BAFTA in this category. The entire nation sat up and took notice.
Farhan Akhtar took to social media to call it a win for “the dreamers,” and director Lakshmipriya Devi received the award on stage with her producers. With the BAFTA trophy in hand, the makers announced a re-release of the film on 6 March 2026, this time with a much wider rollout. Boong is now screening across major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Imphal at PVR INOX and other cinema chains. Tickets are currently available on BookMyShow, Ticket New, and District by Zomato. It is a journey from the small screens of a film festival to the global stage — and that is the kind of story Indian cinema rarely gets to tell.
Boong 2025 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Boong |
| Directed by | Lakshmipriya Devi |
| Written by | Lakshmipriya Devi |
| Produced by | Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Shujaat Saudagar |
| Actor | Gugun Kipgen (as Brojendro aka Boong) |
| Actress | Bala Hijam (as Mandakini) |
| Other Cast | Angom Sanamatum, Vikram Kochhar, Hamom Sadananda, Jenny Khurai, Nemetia Ngangbam, Thoudam Brajabidhu, Modhubala Thoudam, Idhou, Gurumayum Priyogopal, R.K. Sorojini |
| Cinematography | Tanay Satam |
| Edited by | Shreyas Beltangdy |
| Music by | Akhu Chingangbam (Ronid Chingangbam), Zubin Balaporia |
| Production Companies | Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, Suitable Pictures |
| Distributed by | Excel Entertainment (India) |
| Original Release Date | 19 September 2025 (Limited India Theatrical) |
| Re-Release Date | 6 March 2026 (Wider India Theatrical — Post BAFTA Win) |
| Running Time | 1 hour 34 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Meiteilon (Manipuri) |
| Film Industry | Manipuri Cinema |
| Genre | Coming-of-Age, Drama, Adventure |
| Censor Rating | U (Universal — suitable for all audiences) |
Boong Box Office Collection
Boong had a limited select-city release at PVR INOX in India on 19 September 2025. As a niche Manipuri-language independent film, it did not receive national-level commercial tracking. Following its historic BAFTA win on 22 February 2026, the film was re-released on 6 March 2026 with a much wider screen count.
Initial Theatrical Run — September 2025
| Day | Date | India Gross (crore) | Fluctuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Friday, 19 September 2025 | ₹0.08 crore | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | Saturday, 20 September 2025 | ₹0.12 crore | +50% |
| Day 3 | Sunday, 21 September 2025 | ₹0.15 crore | +25% |
| Day 4 | Monday, 22 September 2025 | ₹0.06 crore | -60% |
| Day 5 | Tuesday, 23 September 2025 | ₹0.05 crore | -17% |
| Day 6 | Wednesday, 24 September 2025 | ₹0.05 crore | 0% |
| Day 7 | Thursday, 25 September 2025 | ₹0.04 crore | -20% |
| Total | ~₹0.55 crore |
Re-Release Run — March 2026
| Day | Date | India Gross (crore) | Fluctuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Re-Release Day 1 | Friday, 6 March 2026 | ₹0.25 crore | (Re-Release Opening) |
| Re-Release Day 2 | Saturday, 7 March 2026 | ₹0.38 crore | +52% |
| Re-Release Day 3 | Sunday, 8 March 2026 | ₹0.42 crore | +11% |
| Re-Release Day 4 | Monday, 9 March 2026 | ₹0.18 crore | -57% |
| Re-Release Day 5 | Tuesday, 10 March 2026 | ₹0.15 crore | -17% |
| Re-Release Day 6 | Wednesday, 11 March 2026 | ₹0.13 crore | -13% |
| Re-Release Day 7 | Thursday, 12 March 2026 | Still Running | — |
| Re-Release Week 1 Total (partial) | ~₹1.51 crore | ||
| Combined Lifetime India Net | — | ~₹1.75 crore (and growing) | — |
| Combined Lifetime India Gross | — | ~₹2.07 crore (and growing) | — |
| Combined Lifetime Worldwide Gross | — | ~₹2.70 crore (and growing) | — |
The film is currently running in theatres. Figures will be updated as new data becomes available.
Is Boong a Hit or Flop?
Boong is a historic artistic triumph and India’s first BAFTA-winning film — while its commercial numbers are modest given its independent limited-release scale, the film has already recouped its investment and made history on the global awards stage.
What is the budget of Boong?
The official budget has not been disclosed; given its independent production with a local Manipuri cast and real-location shoot across Imphal and Moreh, industry estimates place the cost at approximately ₹2 to ₹4 crore.
Boong OTT Release Date
Boong is currently running in Indian theatres (re-release from 6 March 2026). There is no confirmed OTT date in India as of now. The film was previously available on MUBI for international streaming, but an Indian OTT announcement is expected only after the theatrical window closes.
- OTT Platform: Not confirmed for India yet
- OTT Date: To be announced
Our Review
Boong is one of the most quietly powerful Indian films made in recent years, and its journey from a small debut feature at TIFF 2024 to BAFTA winner in 2026 is genuinely inspiring. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi — a Manipuri-born filmmaker who left her home state at age 10 and worked her way up through mainstream Bollywood as an assistant director — this film is deeply personal. It is inspired by stories her grandmother told her, and that emotional rootedness comes through in every frame.
The story is simple on the surface: a young boy named Boong (Gugun Kipgen) lives with his single mother Mandakini (Bala Hijam) in Imphal after his father left for the border town of Moreh to run a furniture shop and stopped contacting the family. Boong refuses to believe the rumours of his father’s death. Along with his loyal friend Raju (Angom Sanamatum), he sets off to find his father — eventually crossing into Myanmar.
What unfolds is not just a children’s adventure but a moving portrait of resilience, ethnic tension, and the deep bond between a mother and her child. Director Devi, while accepting the BAFTA, hoped that peace would return to Manipur — and the film is very much a homage to that troubled, underrepresented homeland.
What makes Boong stand apart as a piece of craft is how much trust Lakshmipriya Devi places in her audience. The political realities of Manipur — ongoing ethnic unrest, the presence of armed forces, the complexities of a state long ignored by mainland India — are all in the film, but they exist as quiet, ever-present textures rather than loud statement moments.
You understand the world these characters live in through small, precise details: a whispered conversation, a hesitant border crossing, the way a school principal carefully avoids certain topics. Cinematographer Tanay Satam brings Manipur to life with honesty — green hills next to military columns, busy markets next to quiet fear. Editor Shreyas Beltangdy gives the film a gentle, unhurried pace perfectly suited to its story.
The music by Akhu Chingangbam and Zubin Balaporia is rooted in Manipuri culture without ever being intrusive. Child actor Gugun Kipgen is extraordinary — there is not a single moment where he feels like he is performing. And Angom Sanamatum as his friend Raju, a non-Manipuri boy navigating the same fractured world, gives one of the finest child performances seen in Indian cinema in recent years. When the BAFTA jury chose Boong over animated global blockbusters, they were recognising exactly this kind of filmmaking — quiet, earned, and real.
From a commercial box office perspective, Boong’s numbers will never rival a mainstream Bollywood or South Indian masala film. That was never the intention. The original September 2025 run was always going to be modest — a Manipuri-language independent film in select PVR INOX screens will have a limited audience by design. But the BAFTA win on 22 February 2026 rewrote the film’s destiny entirely. The March 6 re-release brought audiences who would never have sought out a Manipuri film to the cinema halls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I book tickets for Boong — is it on BookMyShow?
 Yes. Boong is currently running in Indian theatres as part of its wider re-release from 6 March 2026. You can book tickets on BookMyShow, Ticket New, and District by Zomato. The film is screening in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Imphal at PVR INOX and other major multiplex chains. Check your nearest available showtime on BookMyShow directly.
Why did Boong get a re-release in March 2026?
 Boong won the BAFTA for Best Children’s and Family Film at the 79th British Academy Film Awards in London on 22 February 2026, beating major international titles including Zootopia 2 and Lilo and Stitch. It became the first Indian film in history to win a BAFTA in this category. Following this landmark win, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani announced a wider re-release starting 6 March 2026 so that more Indian audiences could experience the film on the big screen.
What is the story of Boong?
 Boong tells the story of a young boy named Brojendro — nicknamed Boong, which means “little boy” in Manipuri — who lives in Imphal with his mother Mandakini. His father left to run a furniture shop in Moreh, near the Myanmar border, and stopped contacting the family. Refusing to believe his father is gone, Boong sets off with his best friend Raju on a journey from Imphal to Moreh and even across into Myanmar to bring him home. The film gently explores hope, resilience, family love, and the ethnic tensions of Manipur — all through the wide, innocent eyes of a child.
Is Boong suitable for children?
 Yes, absolutely. Boong is certified U (Universal) by the CBFC, meaning it is suitable for all audiences including young children. It is a beautiful family film that deals with real-world themes but always through a gentle, hopeful perspective. It has been praised globally for its warmth and age-appropriate storytelling. Taking children to watch this film on the big screen is highly recommended.
Who directed Boong and why is the film important for northeast India?
 Boong is written and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, a debut filmmaker originally from Manipur. She left her home state at age 10 and worked her way through Bollywood as an assistant director before making this film. The story is deeply personal — inspired by her grandmother’s tales and rooted in Manipur’s social and political realities. While accepting the BAFTA she expressed her hope that peace would return to Manipur, calling it a troubled, underrepresented part of India. For the entire northeast, this film and its global recognition represents a long-overdue moment of pride.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).
Also try:
Chaphu Manipuri Film Collection
Sunita Meitei Movie Collection
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