Farhan Akhtar-backed Manipuri film ‘Boong’ wins BAFTA Award in London

LONDON: (Feb 23) Quirky Manipuri coming-of-age comedy-drama ‘Boong’, produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the prestigious BAFTA Award for Best Children's & Family Film in London on Sunday.

The film’s debutant director, Lakshmipriya Devi, made an emotional plea for peace in her acceptance speech after receiving the coveted trophy from Paddington Bear, the lead character starring in the West End show ‘Paddington The Musical’. She was joined on stage by producers Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and the assistant director of ‘Boong’, Rahul Sharda.

“The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place," said Devi.