Celebration is in the air for producers Shujaat Saudagar and Vikesh Bhutani, who along with Excel Entertainment, backed Boong that made history as the first Indian film to score a win at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. They still remember director Lakshmipriya Devi’s first narration of the coming-of-age drama. A historic win in the Best Children’s and Family Film category wasn’t even on their minds; all they knew was that the story deserved to be told. 

“The first time I heard the script, I had goosebumps. I knew Lakshmi needed to tell this story because it was so personal. It was also a peek into India,” Saudagar told mid-day, over a conference call. 

Lakshmipriya Devi

But they knew that making Boong wouldn’t be easy, given that not many films are shot in Manipur. The project rolled in 2023, the unit unaware of the conflicts that would follow soon in the state. “We brought some talent from Mumbai, who could bring an international quality to the production. We went on floors in 2023 and faced a lot of logistical issues. We shot over 45 odd days, spread over two months. A week after the shoot got over, the clashes started erupting,” recalled Bhutani.

The conflict that began in Manipur in May 2023 has continued since, leaving the state devastated, and its people displaced. In her acceptance speech at the BAFTA Awards, Devi called for peace in the state. Echoing her sentiment, Saudagar insisted that at such times, stories of innocence and resilience are a must. “There’s no dearth of hate in this world. The least we can do is use our craft and platform to spread love.” 

A still from ‘Boong’. Pics/AFP, PTI, Instagram, Youtube

‘Boong’ had a limited release in 2024. Now, with a BAFTA Award to its credit, the makers are keen to take the Manipuri film to a wider audience. “We are waiting for Lakshmipriya, Farhan [Akhtar] and Ritesh [Sidhwani] to return and discuss the next step. Our aim is to get a [streaming] platform,” said Saudagar.