From the Deep Forests of Sikkim to the Big Screen: Mythological Horror Bokshi Arrives October 9

Following an acclaimed festival run at major global showcases like the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Assam-born filmmaker Bhargav Saikia’s directorial debut Bokshi, a spellbinding folk-horror feature set in the mystical landscapes of Sikkim, is slated to hit the theatres on October 9, 2026.

            Produced independently by Lorien Motion Pictures, the film celebrated its highly anticipated world premiere at the 2025 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). The much acclaimed Bokshi achieved a rare milestone in 2025 as the only film from the country selected by the world’s elite genre film festivals, including Spain's Sitges, Switzerland’s Neuchâtel, and Australia’s SXSW Sydney.

            “After an exhilarating 2025 festival tour with screenings at iconic venues like Rotterdam (IFFR) and Sitges, we are thrilled to finally bring Bokshi home,” says director and producer Bhargav Saikia on the film’s highly anticipated theatrical release. “Crafted specifically for young audiences, Bokshi is a horror experience built entirely for the big screen.”

            Born in Biswanath, Assam, and now based in Mumbai, Bhargav Saikia is the founder of Lorien Motion Pictures. After his schooling at The Assam Valley School and Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, and his studies at The University of Manchester, he moved to Mumbai in 2011 to hone his craft at Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods International. Saikia’s professional career began in 2014 when he produced the acclaimed independent feature Kaafiron Ki Namaaz. He quickly established himself as a distinct directorial voice with the visually striking short horror film Awakenings  (2015), which screened at the prestigious Sitges and Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festivals, and the fantasy short The Black Cat (2017), a lauded official adaptation of Ruskin Bond’s story starring Tom Alter and Shernaz Patel, which earned him Best Director and Best Fiction Film nominations at the 2018 Critics’ Choice Short Film Awards. The Ordeal, a feature project by Saikia, was officially selected for the 2018 BiFan NAFF market. He is now making his feature directorial debut with Bokshi.

            Penned by debutant screenwriter Harsh Vaibhav, Bokshi follows Anahita, a troubled teenager on a school excursion to a remote prehistoric site. What begins as a routine trip quickly unravels into an unsettling encounter with an ancient legend. As myth and reality blur, Anahita is pulled into a dark mystery forcing her to confront her deepest fears.

            Reflecting on the film’s theatrical release, Vaibhav, who also serves as the executive producer, shared, “Bokshi is a fearless exploration of power, belief, and the narratives that define us. We can’t wait to let audiences step into its world in theatres this October.”

            Starring Prasanna Bisht (Chiraiya, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya), Mansi Multani (Kadakh, A Suitable Boy), and Siddharth Shaw (Do Gubbare, Chiraiya) in pivotal roles, along with the acclaimed stage and film actress Shernaz Patel (Black, Guzaarish) as the voice of the titular character, Bokshi is a multilingual film featuring Hindi, English, and Nepali. The film also uniquely features Boksirit, a fully developed fictional language spoken by select characters. Renowned Dutch linguist Jan van Steenbergen created Boksirit exclusively for the film, making Bokshi the second Indian feature after Baahubali to feature a fully developed fictional language.

            What truly sets the folk-horror film Bokshi apart is its dedication to practical filmmaking. Abandoning heavy VFX or CGI, the movie uses tangible, practical effects and was shot on location in the deep forests of Sikkim for over 80 days. These untouched landscapes provide a raw authenticity, intensifying the mystery and cultivating an immersive atmosphere of psychological dread. The film’s focus on natural environments and tactile effects speaks deeply to fans of authentic storytelling.

            Behind the scenes, Bokshi brings together a talented creative team to deliver its ambitious folk horror vision. The film’s visuals are crafted by veteran cinematographer A. Vasanth (Game Over) alongside debutant Siddharth Sivasankaran. Editor Himanshu Saikia and sound designer Dhiman Karmakar (Amar Singh Chamkila, Main Vaapas Aaunga) build the film’s tense atmosphere, while Advait Nemlekar (Special Ops, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, Aashram) provides the eerie, immersive score. Audiences across India will soon get to experience this true independent gem on the big screen, with its theatrical distribution handled by Sethumadhavan Napan.