A Haunting Tale of Identity and Tradition

Read Time:4 Minute, 11 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Bokshi
–

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 2h 46m
Director(s): Bhargav Saikia
Writer(s): Harsh Vaibhav
Cast: Prasanna Bisht, Mansi Multani, Swaroopa Ghosh, Rohit Tiwari, Sandeep Shridhar Dhabale, Shernaz Patel, Siddharth Shaw, Trishala Tamang, Shivangi Vyas, Gaurangi Vyas
Where To Watch: shown at International Film Festival Rotterdam 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Some films do more than just tell a story—they build an entire world that lingers in your mind. BOKSHI is one such experience, blending supernatural folklore with a personal journey of self-discovery. Director Bhargav Saikia crafts a visually stunning and thematically dense tale that feels ambitious and deeply rooted in cultural history. At its core, the film follows Anahita (Prasanna Bisht,) a young woman haunted by her mother's absence. What begins as an ordinary trip to a prehistoric site quickly unravels into something far more unsettling, pulling her into the depths of an ancient mystery.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its ability to create an immersive atmosphere. The cinematography beautifully captures India’s diverse landscapes, transitioning from colonial-era structures to remote, untouched wilderness. Each location carries a weight of history and mythology, reinforcing the film’s exploration of past and present colliding. The deliberate pacing of these visuals allows the tension to simmer beneath the surface before slowly creeping into the forefront.

The performances, particularly those of Bisht and Mansi Multani as Shalini, help ground the supernatural elements with emotional weight. Anahita’s struggle is brought to life through nuanced expressions and restrained intensity, while Shalini exudes warmth and intrigue. Their dynamic adds complexity to the narrative, making the film more than a horror thriller. The supporting cast contributes to the overall tone, adding layers to the unfolding mystery without feeling like mere placeholders.

While the film successfully builds an eerie, dreamlike quality, its nearly three-hour runtime presents a challenge. The slow-burn approach is effective in certain moments, but there are stretches where the film struggles to justify its length, making it feel unnecessarily drawn out. Some sequences, particularly those that linger on atmospheric details, could have benefited from tighter editing to maintain narrative momentum. It’s clear that every frame is crafted with care, but a more disciplined structure would have strengthened the overall impact.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the story is its fusion of supernatural horror with themes of cultural identity and tradition. Rather than relying solely on conventional genre tropes, the film weaves in mythology and ritualistic elements that feel authentic and deeply ingrained in the setting. The idea that knowledge of folklore holds power is a particularly interesting thread, as it challenges how characters perceive their histories.

The film also experiments with stylistic choices, including numbered chapter breaks, extended landscape shots, and moments of surrealism that blur the line between reality and illusion. These choices add to the film’s dreamlike quality but can feel somewhat forbearing, particularly when paired with an extended runtime. While these elements contribute to the film’s hypnotic atmosphere, they may test the patience of those expecting a more straightforward horror experience.

The film remains an impressive achievement for Saikia’s directorial debut. His commitment to crafting a distinct visual and narrative style is evident, and the film’s depth sets it apart from more conventional entries in the genre. The balance of psychological horror and folk mythology creates a unique cinematic identity that feels personal and expansive.

BOKSHI demands patience and attention to detail. It rewards viewers who appreciate slow-burning horror with cultural significance, even if it occasionally meanders. It could have been a tighter, more consistently gripping experience with a more refined edit. Still, its ambition and artistry make it a noteworthy entry into the genre. Saikia proves himself to be a filmmaker with a strong vision, and it will be interesting to see how he evolves in future projects.

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[photo courtesy of LORIEN MOTION PICTURES]

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