India is having its khaas moments across diverse fields and platforms. Aren’t we too kool for skool? The most moving and straight from the dil speech at the just concluded and highly prestigious BAFTA Awards in London, was delivered poignantly and powerfully by Lakshmipriya Devi—the one with steel in her spine and fire in her eyes. Boong (2024), the award-winning short film in the Best Children’s and Family category, speaks many truths in a deeply poetic way.
It’s a metaphor for Manipur itself—director Devi’s beloved homeland. While thanking the jury, she made sure to drive home a dark political point when she referred to Manipur as a “very troubled, very much ignored and very underrepresented” state of India. Who can possibly challenge that? Boong traces the life of a young boy (Boong), who believes that bringing his missing father home will make his mother happy. He undertakes the hazardous journey with his best friend, managing to cross into Myanmar after visiting the border town of Moreh.
Child actor Gugun Kipgen, who is a Kuki-Zo tribal boy, plays a Meitei character. The production finished a week before major ethnic violence shook Manipur. Which is why when Devi spoke so passionately about displacement, alienation, and hostility, her win became that much more significant. She called her film an “homage” to her homeland, where she grew up listening to her grandmother’s stories and folk tales while making her own memories.
A divided society
A movie like Boong becomes a reality only after a successful production house believes in it and comes forward with the required funding. In Devi’s case, she was blessed to have the support of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures), who backed her all the way. After the Awards, Akhtar proudly mentioned his 20-year-old association with Devi. She also acknowledged the steady backing she was able to bag, after cutting her teeth in Bollywood with films like Lakshya (2004) and PK (2014), where she’d worked as an assistant director.
It’s with Boong that Devi has found her individual voice, which boldly addresses vital socio-political issues without flinching or ducking. Interestingly enough, the day her BAFTA win made international headlines, there was a front-page Times of India story featuring Manipur. After three years of barricades, curfew, and violence, which have created deep wounds and divided Manipuri society, a Kuki man named Anthony Naulak walked into his Meitei mother-in-law’s home in the Imphal valley and respectfully touched her feet.
As the report stated, “The journey itself was the message.’’ Naulak’s trip was an appeal to help thousands of internally displaced people. He emphasised his visit went beyond family matters alone. Over 60,000 people have been uprooted and 260 killed since 2023.
Boong will enjoy a limited release in theatres shortly, but remember, it is not Dhurandhar (2025). The people who seek it out are converts, in sync with Devi and her narrative. How does anyone reach the “other” India? The fast-food India, which consumes mindlessly, anything and everything that does not disrupt complacent, smug lives accustomed to a steady diet of easy-to-digest products.
Invasive doctors
Despite the overall cynicism, here are two interesting stories from and about Bollywood.
Let’s start with the hospitalisation of legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, father of Salman Khan. The senior Khan was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital last week, leading to the usual media frenzy with hungry-for-scraps reporters parked at the hospital gates, monitoring VIP visitors and jumping to conclusions.
All this is acceptable and part of being associated with showbiz –celebs across the world receive the same scrutiny, especially when a well-known personality is rushed to hospital. But what is not acceptable is when consulting doctors address the press without the family’s consent and authorisation.
Dr. Jalil Parker, overseeing Salim Khan’s treatment, revealed he had suffered a “minor brain hemorrhage”. He added that the patient was “having jerks and the blood pressure was high. He was put on a ventilator so he would not worsen. We have done a small procedure. Age is a factor. He has been shifted to the ICU… the process of recovery will take time.” Was this necessary? Required? Frankly, it’s offensive—the doc was sharing too much information in an intrusive, inappropriate way.
Salman Khan was livid. He issued a strongly-worded statement, after putting his shooting schedule on hold, to spend time with his father. “Health is a private matter,’’ Bhai said sternly. The hospital was instructed not to release further information. About time other high-profile personalities took the same stand. There is no need to share medical updates with the media.
Any relevant communication should be handled by family members as and when they choose to inform fans and well-wishers. There is something called moral ethics, which requires discretion during a medical emergency. What about the patient’s right to privacy? Docs should be made to sign an NDA to protect confidential/privileged information of all concerned.
A few doctors in Mumbai act like major celebrities themselves and love the attention. By all means, enjoy the spotlight and the precious moments under the sun. But please, not at the expense of the patient and family members.
Also read: Desi weddings are now fake, vapid, meaningless extravaganzas. Billionaires pop out of nowhere
Mangalsutra is macho
I have planned a visit to my bank locker this week. Puchcho kyon? I am keen to retrieve my mangalsutra. No, no, no, I am in no hurry to wear it! But I desperately want my husband to sport it on his wrist on International Women’s Day (8 March).
After all, if India’s Jiju, the affable Nick Jonas (also known as Priyanka Chopra’s devoted hubby), can make a major statement stringing her mangalsutra around his wrist on the Red Carpet, surely more desi husbands can follow suit? Wedding bands are a Western import. Mangalsutras are desi. Men who truly love and support their biwis should adopt the newest trend jaldi jaldi. It’s sexy and macho to flaunt a mangalsutra, okay? Go rock it.
Shobhaa De is an author, columnist, social commentator, and opinion-shaper. She has written 20 books. She tweets @DeShobhaa. Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)