Gangtok: Indian horror film ‘Bokshi’, extensively shot across Sikkim and inspired by the region’s myths, landscapes and folk traditions, has unveiled its trailer ahead of its nationwide theatrical release on October 9.
The trailer offers a glimpse into the film’s folk-horror narrative, following troubled teenager Anahita as a school expedition into the mountains takes her to a mysterious site.
What begins as an unconventional trek gradually reveals disturbing connections between the site, an ancient legend and Bokshi, a feared figure rooted in folklore.
The film stars Prasanna Bisht as Anahita and Mansi Multani as her mysterious history teacher, Shalini.
As the expedition progresses, the two become caught up in a series of increasingly sinister events involving rituals, mystery and supernatural forces.
Sikkim’s forests, mountains and landscapes feature prominently in the film, with the filmmakers using real locations across the state as an integral part of its visual and narrative setting.
The trailer has also drawn the attention of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who shared it on Instagram and expressed his enthusiasm for the project.
For director-producer Bhargav Saikia and writer-executive producer Harsh Vaibhav, the film’s theatrical release holds particular significance for Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills, where the project took shape following years of travel, research and exploration.
Saikia and Vaibhav spent nearly three years travelling through Sikkim and researching the region before mounting the production. They subsequently produced and executive-produced the film themselves.
‘Bokshi’ was filmed over an 80-day schedule across Sikkim, including locations in East and West Sikkim and around Gangtok. The production also brought together several artists from the state, with the local cast including Trishala Tamang, Biru Tamang, Avishek Lama, Prabhat Pakhrin, Bhasker Pradhan and Yangnim Subba, among others.
Sikkim-based line producer Timoti Rai worked with Saikia and Vaibhav for nearly three to four years as the project developed, assisting with research, planning and eventually mounting the production in the state.
The filmmakers said they were particularly looking forward to audiences in Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills watching the film on the big screen, given its close connection with the region’s landscape and cultural traditions.
Before its theatrical release in India, ‘Bokshi’ travelled internationally through major film festivals, taking a story rooted in the region’s mountains and folklore to audiences outside the country.
The film is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on October 9.
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