Cinema VinesRian Mukherjee has become the first Indian to win the Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA) Best Child Actor trophy for his performance in the Hindi drama Manzil. The accolade was presented at the 2026 LAFA ceremony, a prestigious event that recognises emerging talent on an international stage. Rian, a debutant, played Aron, the son of writer Ananya, portrayed by veteran actress Rituparna Sengupta. The film, directed by his father, National Award‑winning filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee, follows a writer and a photographer who meet by chance at a resort, and Aron’s presence becomes pivotal to the story.
“I am delighted that the jury members felt Rian’s performance was worth recognition,” said Ram Kamal Mukherjee, who also produced the film. He praised his son’s natural talent, noting that Rian had no formal acting training yet memorised his lines and delivered a compelling screen presence. “I think he is a gifted actor, as he never had any formal training, yet he faced the camera and knew his lines by heart,” the director added.
Rituparna Sengupta, who plays Rian’s mother in the film, expressed her joy at the award. “I have literally seen him grow before my eyes. I still remember seeing Rian when he was born. Ram and Sarbani are like family, and when Ram decided to cast Rian as my son in the film, I knew he would leave an impact,” she said, also noting her dual role as creative producer of the project. The film was produced by Rajesh Singh and Sharmistha Mukherjee under the banners of Dhanbad Talkies and Endeavour Films, and is currently circulating in festivals worldwide.
Jury member and veteran actor Jean Vincentelli highlighted Rian’s natural screen presence and restrained vocal modulation as key reasons for his victory over international peers. The LAFA 2026 ceremony also honoured other filmmakers: Jingnu Ning won Best Picture for A Palmful of Stars, Phil Aman received Best Actor for Soundcheck, and Nazakati Maihemuti took Best Actress for the same film as Ning. Rian, who describes himself as an “accidental actor,” remarked, “I enjoy acting because that’s the only time I get to see my Baba at work. He is extremely sincere towards his craft.”
The first look of Manzil was unveiled at an award ceremony in Mumbai, where Rian’s charisma captured the attention of prominent actors in attendance. His triumph at LAFA marks a significant milestone for Indian cinema on the global stage, showcasing the talent emerging from the country’s film industry.
