Excel Entertainment, known for backing bold and boundary-pushing content, has just dropped the official poster and release date for Boong, a poignant Manipuri-language drama hitting select cinemas on September 19, 2025. The announcement, shared via a striking poster reveal on social media, is already being hailed as a significant milestone for regional cinema, particularly for Northeast Indian representation on the big screen.
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, Boong tells the story of a young schoolboy navigating everyday life amid deep-rooted racial tensions in Manipur. Set against the culturally rich yet politically sensitive backdrop of the Northeast, the film weaves together identity, resilience, and hope — themes often left unexplored in the broader Bollywood landscape.
With support from industry heavyweights Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, Boong represents more than just a film release — it’s a statement. Excel Entertainment’s track record of platforming diverse Indian voices (including their distribution of the Hindi-dubbed K.G.F. series) continues here, with Boong acting as a bridge between underrepresented regional stories and mainstream cinematic exposure.
Already a festival darling, Boong has screened at prestigious international venues including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Busan International Film Festival, where it garnered praise for its authenticity, nuanced storytelling, and powerful performances. The film’s artistic and socio-political relevance has sparked early comparisons to India’s new-wave parallel cinema movement — but with a deeply personal Northeast narrative at its heart.
The title Boong, which loosely translates to “child” in the local dialect, is a poetic choice for a film that examines innocence caught in a web of societal prejudice. With distribution across select PVR and INOX Cinemas, and national rollout via AA Films, the release may be limited, but its impact is expected to be anything but.
As Indian cinema continues to evolve, Boong feels like more than just a film — it’s part of a necessary cultural reckoning. Come September 19, the country will finally be invited to say hello to Boong — and perhaps, to a new era of storytelling too.