Pokkhirajer Dim (2025) [Film Review]: A Whimsical, Heartfelt Science-Fantasy from Soukarya Ghosal

Soukarya Ghosal’s Pokkhirajer Dim is a generous, imagination-first outing that blends Bengali literary sensibilities with a warm science-fantasy plot. A quasi-sequel to Rainbow Jelly, the film revisits motifs of curiosity, friendship, and small-town magic while expanding into stranger, slightly more adventurous terrain — UFOs, emotion-mapping “living stones,” and the occasional eccentric scientist.

Synopsis

A village, an alien relic, and a child with a golden heart

Ghoton, a dyslexic but special child from Kolkata, moves to Akashgunj and becomes entangled in local legend: a forest “sky temple” that houses a mystical stone said to map emotions. When a relic-hunting foreigner and corrupt village elements threaten the temple, Ghoton — aided by his spirited friend Poppins and the madcap teacher Batabyal — must protect the Pokkhirajer Dim and uncover the threads that bind the village’s past and present.

Direction & Writing

Soukarya Ghosal’s playful, literate filmmaking

Ghosal writes and directs with an obvious affection for Bengali fantastical traditions; his influences (Satyajit Ray, Leela Majumdar, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay) are felt less as imitation and more as an empathetic lineage. The screenplay mixes detective-ish beats with fairy-tale logic: there are plot conveniences, but they’re handled with a storyteller’s lightness that keeps the tone buoyant. The film’s pacing occasionally falters when balancing subplot threads, yet Ghosal’s knack for small, evocative moments — a secret handshake, a ruined science experiment, a tender line of dialogue — redeems those lags.

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Performances

A cast that cherishes the material

Anumegha Banerjee’s Poppins is delightfully grounded, lending the romance subplot a sweetness that never feels forced. Mahabrata Basu’s Ghoton carries the film emotionally; his vulnerability and curiosity make him a sympathetic center. Anirban Bhattacharya chews comedic scenery in the best way as Batabyal — part mad scientist, part beloved teacher — while Shyamal Chakraborty and Debesh Roy Chowdhury provide sturdy, characterful support. Alexx O’Nell’s “Villain” reads as an effective outsider force, and the ensemble’s chemistry convinces us this is indeed a lived-in village with stakes worth caring about.

Technical Aspects

Cinematography and sound that elevate the wonder

Set against the Chhota Nagpur plateau, the film’s cinematography is a standout — it frames the rural landscape as both vast and mysterious, giving the woods an eerie, sacred quality. The production design treats the UFO-as-temple idea with tasteful invention rather than camp, and Nabarun Bose’s score adds melodic lift (notably in the song “Ki Hobe Tar”), though the background score sometimes plays catch-up with the emotional beats. Visual effects are modest but serviceable, keeping the film’s focus on characters rather than spectacle.

Themes & Takeaway

Childhood courage, respect for legend, and the ethics of curiosity

At its core, Pokkhirajer Dim is a paean to youthful bravery and to communities that protect stories as fiercely as objects. The film asks gentle ethical questions — who gets to own wonders, and what responsibility comes with discovery? — while celebrating the small triumphs of a boy who, against odds, finds his footing and his worth.

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Verdict

A family-friendly fantasia with heart and imagination

Pokkhirajer Dim won’t rewrite fantasy cinema, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a lovingly crafted, family-friendly film that brims with local color, quirky humour, and sincere performances. For viewers who appreciate Bengali literary sensibilities repackaged as warm, accessible fantasy — and for families seeking a movie that entertains while valuing curiosity and kindness — Soukarya Ghosal’s latest is a gratifying watch. Small flaws in pacing and an occasionally underplayed score keep it from soaring, but its heartland charm and inventive spirit make it a film worth celebrating.

Rating: ★★★⯪☆ (3.5/5)