Nishikant raves Boong's feat, felicitates actors

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 28 : A felicitation ceremony was held today at the residence of Keishamthong AC MLA Nishikant Singh Sapam at Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai in honour of Angom Sanamatum (child actor) and Hamom Sadananda for their outstanding roles in the BAFTA-winning Manipur film Boong.
Boong made history at the 2026 BAFTA Awards by winning the award for Best Children’s & Family Film, becoming the first-ever Indian film to achieve this prestigious honour.
Directed by Lakshmi-priya Devi, the film tells the inspiring story of a young boy's journey through conflict-ridden Manipur as he strives to reunite his family.
Addressing the felicitation ceremony, the MLA  emphasised that he entered electoral politics not for personal gain, but to safeguard Manipur and contribute to its development to the best of his ability and with sincere dedication.
Nishikant assured that he would also continue to serve the people of his constituency, taking up as much developmental works as possible in his capacity.
Encouraging both Sanamatum and Sadananda with cash rewards and simple gifts, the MLA said that Boong, a film written and directed by Manipuri Ningol Lakshmipriya Devi, winning the prestigious BAFTA was a proud moment for the State.
Nishikant said that he felt even prouder knowing that two artistes from his constituency played key roles in the film.
The film was shot before the crisis in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, he said and added that Moreh, however, could no longer be seen in the same way as shown in the film due to the ongoing conflict, with many houses now reduced to rubble.
He said that Boong advocates for peaceful coexis- tence despite the many differences in Manipur society, carrying a powerful message of empathy.
"Let the message of empathy reach  every person in Manipur, and may we forgive and forget one another to foster unity among the Manipuri people," the MLA prayed as he urged everyone to stand together for the welfare of Manipur.
He said that, along with Team Nishikant, he took up various developmental projects in the first year after he was sworn in as MLA.
However, following the eruption of the crisis on May 3, 2023, Nishikant added that he has been unable to carry out developmental work due to the ongoing situation.
Saying that development works have resumed on a war footing under Chief Minister Y Khemchand, including in Keishamthong, following the lifting of President's Rule on February 4, Nishikant stated that the implementation of the sewerage project, however, remains a major hurdle to other infrastructure projects.
He added that a meeting has been held to ensure better coordination in the implementation of road and sewerage projects.
Nishikant further stated that he has helped 30 youths from his constituency secure jobs in various departments, without taking even a single paisa from them.
The MLA said that he would accept the consequences if anyone can prove that he or Team Nishikant had taken money from these youths. Reiterating that he did not enter electoral politics to earn dishonest money, Nishikant emphasised that his  ambition is to serve Manipur as well as the people of his constituency to the best of his ability.