Fresh from her historic victory at the BAFTA Awards, Lakshmipriya Devi spoke with heartfelt humility about what the moment means—not just for her, but for Indian independent cinema. Boong’s triumph marks a rare milestone for an Indian-language film produced entirely in India, standing out in a category often dominated by larger international titles. While she modestly reflected on past wins connected to Indian stories, such as Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle and Gandhi directed by Richard Attenborough, Devi emphasized how extraordinary it felt for a small, deeply personal film like Boong to receive such recognition.
At its heart, Boong tells the story of a young boy determined to bring his father home from the India–Myanmar border as a special gift for his mother. What unfolds is a transformative journey shaped by love, longing, and the quiet resilience of childhood. Devi revealed that the project began not as a film, but as a private act of release—memories, folk tales from her grandmother, and fragments of her upbringing written down like diary entries. She never expected it to become a screenplay, let alone an award-winning film. In many ways, she described its creation as a series of “happy accidents.”
Growing up in Manipur, Devi explained, it is impossible to separate the personal from the political. The social and emotional realities of her region inevitably shaped her storytelling, even if the film itself is not overtly political. For her, politics extends beyond elections or public office; it exists in everyday power dynamics, within families and communities. Boong reflects that subtle awareness—offering a message of humanity, hope, and the necessity of closure before new beginnings. She hopes the BAFTA win will serve as a “ventilator” for the film, giving it the life and visibility that small festival films rarely receive.
As for what the award means for her future, Devi remains characteristically grounded. She once believed this would be her first and last film, a singular opportunity to say everything she needed to say. Whether she makes another will depend entirely on whether a story compels her deeply enough. For now, she sees the win as a lifeline for Boong itself—a film that might otherwise have faded quietly, but has instead captured international attention in the most unexpected and inspiring way.
