“Bokshi is an exploration of a young woman's deepest desires to connect with the missing link of her family and her cultural heritage.”
Host
What A Scare Podcast
Anahita carries the heavy weight of a mother who vanished without a trace, leaving her to navigate a world that feels increasingly hostile. Her only anchor becomes Shalini, a history teacher who offers more than just academic guidance; she provides a rare sense of safety in a chaotic life. This fragile bond is tested when an unconventional school trip leads the group to a remote prehistoric site where ancient legends and modern fears collide.
Director Bhargav Saikia grounds this supernatural tale in the mist-shrouded forests of Sikkim, using the region's rugged terrain to mirror the internal landscape of grief. The film distinguishes itself by weaving together Hindi, English, Nepali, and a newly invented dialect called Boksirit. This linguistic layering adds authenticity to the folklore, transforming the setting from a mere backdrop into an active participant in the narrative.
In theatres
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Anahita lives in a state of perpetual mourning after her mother disappeared under brutal and unexplained circumstances. The silence left behind has created a void that permeates every interaction she has with the outside world. Shalini steps into this gap not as a savior but as a steady presence, offering Anahita a sanctuary within the rigid structure of a school environment. Their relationship evolves into something maternal yet complicated, built on shared secrets and a mutual understanding of loss that others cannot grasp.
The equilibrium shatters when the school organizes a field trip to a secluded geological formation deep within the Sikkimese hills. What begins as an educational excursion quickly curdles into a nightmare as the group encounters phenomena that defy rational explanation. The forest seems alive, reacting to their intrusion with a silent hostility that grows heavier with each passing hour. Whispers drift through the trees in a language no one recognizes, and the boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm begins to blur.
Anahita feels a strange pull toward the site, sensing a connection to her mother's fate that she cannot articulate. The local legends surrounding the area speak of the Bokshi, a figure representing a cycle of rebirth and a curse that has haunted the region for generations. As communication with the outside world cuts off completely, the students and teachers realize they are trapped in a place waiting for something specific. The isolation forces everyone to confront their deepest fears and hidden histories.
Tensions escalate as the group faces the terrifying reality of the land's dark history. The concept of the Bokshi moves from abstract folklore to immediate danger, suggesting that a witch is born twice. Anahita begins to remember suppressed memories that align disturbingly with this prophecy. The horror shifts from external monsters to internal demons, forcing each character to face the secrets they have buried. The narrative builds toward a moment where the tragedy of the past collides violently with the danger of the present, leaving the survivors to grapple with a destiny they never chose.
Bokshi - Official Trailer | In Cinemas 4 December, 2026 | The Witches Are Coming
Bokshi - Official Trailer - In Cinemas 9 October, 2026
Critical Consensus
Critics at international festivals have praised Bokshi as a heady debut that successfully blends folk horror with psychological drama. Reviewers highlight the impressive world-building and the visceral nature of the supernatural elements. The film transcends typical genre tropes by grounding its horror in authentic cultural mythology and the trauma of loss.
“Bokshi is an exploration of a young woman's deepest desires to connect with the missing link of her family and her cultural heritage.”
Host
What A Scare Podcast
“While on an unconventional school trip to a mysterious prehistoric site, she will find herself forced to confront her terrifying destiny.”
Festival Press
Sitges Film Festival
“Indian folk horror Bokshi lands Spain deal... The world building is extremely impressive.”
Variety Staff
Variety
Director
Bhargav Saikia
Writer
Harsh Vaibhav
Composer
Advait Nemlekar
Producer
Bhargav Saikia
Khatmandu Horror Film Festival (2025)
Special Jury Mention: Won
Sitges Film Festival (2025)
Official Selection: Selected
Dhaka International Film Festival (2025)
Official Selection: Selected
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