New Delhi, September 17: Acclaimed Manipuri filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut feature film Boong is set for a nationwide release on September 19, bringing a poignant story from Manipur’s cultural landscape to audiences across select Indian cities.

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment in association with Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, the film stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam in lead roles. It will be released across PVR INOX cinemas.

Set in a Manipuri village, Boong follows the emotional journey of a young boy and his mother grappling with the mysterious disappearance of the family’s patriarch, Joykumar, who once worked outside the state. Refusing to accept his absence, the boy embarks on a quest with his best friend to find his missing father — a tale blending innocence, resilience, and hope.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, where it received praise for its intimate storytelling and cultural authenticity.

Lakshmipriya Devi, who has worked as an assistant director on films like Luck by Chance, Talaash, PK, and Mira Nair’s A Suitable Boy, described the project as deeply personal. “Boong is the book I could not write because of my bad English. It is inspired by the fuzzy warmth of the stories my grandmother told me, and dedicated to the resilience of the people of Manipur,” she said.

PVR INOX Pictures CEO Kamal Gianchandani welcomed the release, noting, “We are thrilled to present Boong, a Manipuri film deeply rooted in local experiences yet resonating with universal emotions. This reflects our commitment to bringing diverse cinema to Indian audiences.”