India, Feb. 26 -- Director Lakshmipriya Devi's debut film Boong has made history as the first Indian movie to win a BAFTA Award. Actor Vikram Kochhar, the only Bollywood name in the Manipuri-language film, calls the moment "extremely elating" yet bittersweet.

"It's a proud moment for all of us, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating the team - for the first-ever movie win. I'm happy my choice to back indie cinema paid off. But it's also sad that we're celebrating the film only after the West recognised it," the 42-year-old says.

Released last year, the film struggled for screens in India. "My parents in Hyderabad and friends in Bengaluru went to watch the film but there were no-shows, as minimum tickets were not sol...