✅ Bokshi (2025) is an ambitious Indian Hindi-language folk horror film that plunges into a tale of ancient myths, personal trauma, and the complex origins of patriarchy. It promises a visually and psychologically intense journey as a young girl confronts her destiny amidst a mysterious prehistoric site.

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Bokshi

Director: Bhargav Saikia

Writer: Harsh Vaibhav

Stars: Shernaz Patel, Swaroopa Ghosh, Himbarsha Das

Plot: Anahita, traumatised by the brutal disappearance of her mother, finds comfort in Shalini, her history teacher. On an unconventional school excursion to a mysterious prehistoric site, she confronts her terrifying destiny.

Countries: India

Languages: English, Hindi, Nepali

IMDb: View on IMDb

Bokshi (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Bokshi (2025)
• Language: Hindi (Original), also features English, Nepali, and a created language called Boksirit
• Budget: Not publicly disclosed
• Revenue: Not publicly disclosed (upcoming film)
• Runtime: 2 hours 46 minutes (166 minutes)
• Release Date: January 31, 2025 (International Film Festival Rotterdam premiere)
• Genres: Horror, Drama, Fantasy, Folk Horror, Independent Film
• Cast: Prasanna Bisht (Anahita), Mansi Multani (Shalini), Shernaz Patel, Dagi Ngomdir, Bhasker Pradhan, Sandeep Shridhar Dhabale.
• Directors: Bhargav Saikia
• Screenplay: Harsh Vaibhav
• Studios & Producers:
  • Production Company: Lorien Motion Pictures
  • Producers: Bhargav Saikia; Executive Producer: Harsh Vaibhav
• Voice Cast: N/A (Live-action film)
• Animation & Style: Live-action, features shifting aspect ratios (1.85:1 and 1.33:1) and strong color symbolism.

OFFICIAL IMAGES

Plot Summary

Bokshi centers on Anahita, a timid teenager profoundly traumatized by the mysterious disappearance of her mother years ago. She finds solace in her history teacher, Shalini, at a new boarding school. When an unconventional school excursion takes Anahita and her classmates to a mysterious prehistoric site nestled in the Himalayas, the journey takes a terrifying turn. A long-forgotten myth, deeply rooted in the folklore of the region, begins to manifest, forcing Anahita to confront her deepest fears and a terrifying destiny that seems linked to ancient origins of patriarchy and the suppression of women. The film delves into a chilling cosmology, exploring how a civilization was built upon the betrayal of a primordial mother figure, and aims to reclaim the “witch” as a symbol of empowerment, subverting negative historical imagery. As the expedition spirals out of control, Anahita’s coming-of-age journey becomes a visceral confrontation with primal terror.

Cast & Crew

Directed and produced by Bhargav Saikia, Bokshi is his feature directorial debut, showcasing an ambitious vision for the horror genre. The screenplay is penned by Harsh Vaibhav, who also serves as an Executive Producer. The film features Prasanna Bisht as the lead, Anahita, navigating a complex psychological and supernatural ordeal. Mansi Multani plays Shalini, the history teacher who initiates the fateful excursion. Veteran actors like Shernaz Patel, Dagi Ngomdir, Bhasker Pradhan, and Sandeep Shridhar Dhabale round out the supporting cast. The collaborative effort on the crew side extends to cinematographers Siddharth Sivasankaran and A. Vasanth, who worked closely with the director from the scripting stage to achieve a unified visual language. Monty Sharma is credited for the music, and Himanshu Chutia Saikia for the editing, aiming to craft a compelling and immersive horror experience.

Critical & Audience Response

Bokshi has received a mixed reception from critics, often noted for its ambitious themes and unique genre blend. Some critics praised its attempt to tackle complex issues like patriarchy and the reinterpretation of the “witch” archetype within a folk horror framework. Its visual style and the nuanced performances, particularly from the lead, were also highlighted. However, common criticisms included its extended runtime (166 minutes), which contributed to a sluggish pacing in certain sections, especially the first half, and a perceived lack of historical or cultural context. Some found the narrative to be disjointed or the visual effects not entirely convincing. Despite these points, the film’s bold originality and thought-provoking undertones found appreciation among a segment of the audience, particularly those seeking genre films with deeper philosophical messages.

Direction & Cinematography

Bhargav Saikia’s direction in Bokshi is characterized by a deliberate attempt to build atmosphere and psychological tension. He employs a unique visual strategy, shifting between two aspect ratios (1.85:1 wide and 1.33:1 square) to visually represent the protagonist Anahita’s internal struggle and emotional journey, with the frame expanding as she overcomes her conflicts. Cinematographers Siddharth Sivasankaran and A. Vasanth contribute to this vision by making the dense forest setting feel increasingly claustrophobic as the narrative darkens. The camera movement evolves from static shots to a more dynamic style, mirroring Anahita’s psychological transformation. The prominent use of the color red also serves as a strong visual motif, symbolizing feminine power throughout the film.

Music & Background Score

The music for Bokshi is composed by Advait Nemlekar, with sound design by Dhiman Karmakar. For a folk horror film, the auditory elements are crucial in establishing a sense of dread, mystique, and supernatural presence. The score and sound design are crafted to be unsettling and atmospheric, aiming to enhance the eerie quality of the prehistoric site and the escalating terror. This intricate soundscape plays a significant role in immersing the audience in the film’s chilling cosmology and heightening its psychological impact, contributing to the overall tension and emotional depth.

Visuals & Special Effects

Bokshi’s visuals blend a raw, naturalistic approach to its forest settings with elements of fantastical horror. While the film strives for a rich production value, the critical reception indicates that some of the visual effects (VFX) were not consistently “breathtaking” and were described as “just fine.” However, the film effectively uses symbolic imagery, such as a Venus figurine in its final sequence, to convey deeper themes like the connection between nature and women. The overall visual design focuses on creating a palpable atmosphere of dread and mystery, utilizing lighting and framing to emphasize psychological horror rather than relying heavily on elaborate digital effects.

Editing & Screenplay

The screenplay by Harsh Vaibhav is an ambitious attempt to intertwine personal trauma with a broader mythological and feminist narrative. However, critics noted that the script, particularly in its initial half, could have benefited from tighter pacing and more concise exposition, sometimes failing to provide adequate historical or cultural context for its complex themes. The editing by Himanshu Chutia Saikia is challenged by the screenplay’s length (166 minutes), with some suggesting a sharper edit could have improved the overall flow and sustained tension more effectively throughout the film. Despite these criticisms, the narrative’s underlying ambition to subvert traditional horror tropes is evident.

Positives / What Works

Bokshi’s strengths lie in its unique blend of folk horror with profound themes, offering a feminist narrative that challenges traditional perceptions of “witches” and explores the origins of patriarchy. Bhargav Saikia’s bold direction, particularly the innovative use of aspect ratios and color symbolism, creates a distinct visual style. The film’s authentic performances and its ambitious scope in exploring mythology and societal issues are also commendable, providing a thought-provoking experience for genre enthusiasts.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

The film’s significant runtime and sluggish pacing, especially in the first half, were frequently cited as drawbacks, impacting its ability to maintain consistent engagement. Critics also pointed out the underwhelming visual effects, which sometimes undermined the film’s grander ambitions. Additionally, some felt the narrative occasionally lacked sufficient historical or cultural context for its complex mythological elements, making it less accessible to a broader audience.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

Bokshi is an ambitious and thematically rich folk horror film that stands out for its unique blend of personal trauma, ancient mythology, and a strong feminist undercurrent. While its extended runtime and some technical aspects like visual effects might not appeal to all, its bold storytelling, distinct directorial vision, and powerful performances make it a compelling watch for those interested in genre cinema that dares to explore deeper societal issues. It is a film that provokes thought and offers a fresh perspective within the horror landscape, even if its execution has occasional stumbles.

Movie Rating

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