Bokshi theatrical release: Bhargav Saikia's debut hits Indian screens on 9 October
Synopsis
'Bokshi' is the rare Indian horror film that earned its stripes abroad before coming home — world-premiered at IFFR and the only Indian feature at Sitges, Neuchâtel, and SXSW Sydney in 2025. Now it heads to Indian multiplexes on 9 October, with a fictional language, a cast of relative newcomers, and a director making his debut. The festival pedigree makes it one of the more intriguing independent releases of the year.
Key Takeaways
Bokshi will release in Indian theatres on 9 October 2025 , directed by Bhargav Saikia in his feature debut.
The film world-premiered at IFFR 2025 and is the only Indian feature selected at Sitges , Neuchâtel , and SXSW Sydney in 2025.
Cast includes Prasanna Bisht , Mansi Multani , and Siddharth Shaw ; Shernaz Patel voices the titular character.
The film is multilingual — Hindi , English , Nepali — and features a fully invented fictional language called Boksirit .
Produced independently by Lorien Motion Pictures ; Harsh Vaibhav serves as writer and executive producer.
Filmmaker Bhargav Saikia is set to bring his directorial debut, the horror film 'Bokshi', to Indian theatres on 9 October 2025, following a celebrated run at major international film festivals. The independently produced film marks a significant milestone for Lorien Motion Pictures, which backed the project without studio support.
A Festival Circuit That Turned Heads
'Bokshi' had its World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in 2025, making an immediate impression on the international genre circuit. Notably, it is the only Indian feature film to have been selected at the 2025 editions of Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Spain, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival in Switzerland, and SXSW Sydney in Australia — a distinction that sets it apart from most Indian independent productions.
What Saikia Said About the Release
Speaking about the upcoming theatrical run, Saikia said, 'We are thrilled to bring Bokshi to our home audiences after an exciting 2025 festival tour, including screenings at iconic festivals like Rotterdam (IFFR) and Sitges. Crafted specifically for young audiences, Bokshi is a horror film made to be experienced on the big screen.'
Writer and executive producer Harsh Vaibhav added, 'Bokshi is a fearless story about power, belief, and the narratives that shape us. We can't wait for audiences to experience its world in theatres this October.'
The Cast and How It Came Together
The film stars Prasanna Bisht (known for Chiraiya and Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya) as the young protagonist Anahita, selected after what Saikia described as an intensive audition process. 'Hailing from the hills of Uttarakhand, she brought a natural authenticity to the role,' he said.
Mansi Multani (of Kadakh and A Suitable Boy) was cast as Shalini after Saikia and Vaibhav noticed her screen presence while watching Mira Nair's A Suitable Boy on Netflix. 'I reached out to her on Instagram, and she came on board in no time,' Saikia recalled. Siddharth Shaw (Do Gubbare, Chiraiya) rounds out the principal cast, while veteran actor Shernaz Patel lends her voice to the titular character.
Language and World-Building
'Bokshi' is a multilingual production featuring Hindi, English, and Nepali, alongside Boksirit — a fully developed fictional language spoken by select characters in the film. The linguistic ambition reflects the film's broader intent to construct an immersive, self-contained world rooted in folklore and belief systems.
With its October release, 'Bokshi' will test whether Indian multiplex audiences are ready to embrace a festival-circuit horror film that has already earned its credentials abroad.
Point of View
A format that has found renewed commercial energy in India post-pandemic. The invented language Boksirit and the multilingual structure signal serious world-building ambition. Whether that ambition translates to box-office traction, or whether the film finds its real audience on a streaming platform months later, will say as much about Indian multiplex appetite for festival cinema as it does about the film itself.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is 'Bokshi' releasing in Indian theatres?
'Bokshi' is scheduled to release in Indian theatres on 9 October 2025. The film has already completed its international festival run, which included screenings at IFFR, Sitges, Neuchâtel, and SXSW Sydney.
Who is the director of 'Bokshi'?
'Bokshi' is directed by Bhargav Saikia, marking his feature directorial debut. He also produced the film under Lorien Motion Pictures.
Which festivals screened 'Bokshi' before its India release?
'Bokshi' had its World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in 2025. It subsequently screened at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Spain, the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival in Switzerland, and SXSW Sydney in Australia — making it the only Indian feature at all four festivals in 2025.
Who are the lead actors in 'Bokshi'?
The film stars Prasanna Bisht as the protagonist Anahita, Mansi Multani as Shalini, and Siddharth Shaw in a pivotal role. Veteran actor Shernaz Patel voices the titular character Bokshi.
What is Boksirit in the film 'Bokshi'?
Boksirit is a fully developed fictional language created specifically for 'Bokshi,' spoken by select characters in the film. The movie is otherwise multilingual, featuring Hindi, English, and Nepali dialogue.
