Farhan Akhtar-Backed Manipuri Film Boong Named Spotlight Film at IFFM 2025
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 has chosen Boong, a Manipuri-language drama backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment, as its official 'Spotlight Film." The project will have its Victorian state premiere in Australia this August.
Boong marks the directorial debut of Lakshmipriya Devi, who has built an extensive career as a first assistant director on acclaimed works such as Luck by Chance, Talaash, Aamir Khan's PK, and Mira Nair's global hit series A Suitable Boy.
The film's selection underscores Excel Entertainment's ongoing focus on supporting distinctive storytelling and emerging talent from across India. Known for producing acclaimed titles that push creative boundaries, the banner is adding a Manipuri drama to its diverse portfolio for the first time.
IFFM, recognised for its emphasis on culturally rich and innovative cinema, aims to celebrate originality and diversity in its 2025 line-up. Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange expressed enthusiasm over featuring Boong as this year's centrepiece.
'We are thrilled to present the world premiere of Boong as this year's Spotlight Film. It's a story that is as bold as it is intimate, and Lakshmipriya Devi's debut is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary talent working behind the scenes in Indian cinema. IFFM has always been committed to championing new voices, and Boong is exactly the kind of story that resonates globally — deeply rooted in its context yet universally human in its emotion," Lange said.
Directed with sensitivity and a clear creative vision, Boong reflects Devi's years of behind-the-camera experience and her ability to craft emotionally resonant stories.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will take place from August 14 to 24, 2025, drawing filmmakers and audiences from around the world to celebrate cinema's power to connect cultures.
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