In a historic moment for Indian cinema, the small-scale Manipuri film ‘Bung’ has clinched the prestigious BAFTA Award for Best Children’s and Family Film. Produced under Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment banner and directed by Laxmipriya Devi, this comedy-drama has put regional Indian storytelling on the global map.
‘Bung’ marks the first Indian film nominated and awarded at BAFTA this year, a testament to its universal appeal. The story unfolds against the backdrop of ethnic tensions along the Manipur border, following a schoolboy grappling with violence, neglect, and a fractured family. His journey to reunite his loved ones and reclaim his absent father resonates deeply, highlighting social and political strife in the region.
At the ceremony, an emotional Laxmipriya Devi accepted the award alongside Farhan Akhtar. In her heartfelt speech, she dedicated the win to her home state of Manipur, often overlooked and underrepresented in India. ‘This film and this victory are a tribute to Manipur, a troubled and neglected region,’ she said, praying for peace amid ongoing unrest.
Devi likened the achievement to summiting an unimaginable peak. ‘It felt like the final steps to a mountaintop we never knew we could climb.’ Her words underscored the film’s roots in real-life struggles, making its international success all the more poignant.
Prior to BAFTA glory, ‘Bung’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Discovery section in 2024. It has since screened at Warsaw International Film Festival, the 55th International Film Festival of India, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025. This win signals a bright future for India’s regional cinema, proving that powerful stories from the margins can captivate worldwide audiences.