‘Pokkhirajer Dim’ gave birth to a fantasy world for the IFFIsiasts
“VFX is no longer difficult to achieve in India; what truly matters is communicating the artistic vision”: Soukarya Ghoshal
“I must say this is the first time I’ve been part of such a project”: Anirban Bhattacharya
26 November 2025: Bengali film ‘Pokhkhirajer Dim’ directed by Soukarya Ghoshal lead the audience at 56th IFFI to a world of fantasy through early morning screening on day 7 at Goa. Later, the director accompanied by lead actor Anirban Bhattacharya, interacted with the media at the Press Conference Hall, sharing insights into the collaborative journey behind the film.
Returning to IFFI for the second time, director Soukarya Ghoshal opened the discussion on a cheerful note, expressing his special emotional connection with the film. He began by explaining the film’s synopsis, using vivid illustrations from the story to help the audience connect with its story set in a fictionized village Akashgunj. In the fantasy film central character Ghoton, a village student, discovers a mystical stone that reveals human emotions, drawing the attention of British archaeologists. At the end of the film with his quirky teacher Batabyal and friend Poppins, he will protect the stone’s powers, Soukarya explored.
Actor Anirban Bhattacharya joined the discussion, “I have done my part; I have done what was required of me on screen. But yes, indeed I enjoyed the journey very much. If we label this as a ‘film for children’ or a ‘film for students,’ then I must say this is the first time I’ve been part of such a project, and that itself is a big opportunity for me. I grew up watching films by Ray and by several great directors around the world, and those works shaped my understanding of cinema. But this is the first time I am participating in a film of this kind.”
The acclaimed actor from Bengal film fraternity explained, “Soukarya offered me a character filled with delightful quirks and layers and I thoroughly enjoyed embodying him. Soukarya has a unique sense of comic imagination whether it is ‘Rainbow Jelly’ or ‘Bhootpori’, he nurtures a world where melancholia flows through everything: through tragedy, through humour, through the low and high points of human life and even the eccentricities. That is why I am drawn to his films so deeply.”
Soukarya added on that the character portrayed by Anirban carries a rare innocence, something the actor was exploring for the first time. He also shared how Anirban contributed specific mannerisms and body postures that added depth and authenticity to the role.
The film essentially involved usage of AI and VFX. Commenting on the aspect, Soukarya elaborated that he has a clear understanding of post-production tools like Photoshop, After Effects, Maya and Max, which helped him collaborate closely with the VFX team. According to him, VFX is no longer difficult to achieve in India because the technical expertise is now very high—what truly matters is communicating the artistic vision clearly. If the director understands the technical logic, he said, the artists can execute it with ease.
During QA session Actor Bhattacharya replying to a question labelled his experience of IFFI as vibrant and uplifting. He emphasized that it was a pleasure to be surrounded by people who are eager to watch and discuss cinema day and night. For him, this lively exchange is the true joy of any festival. He added that it is heartening to see so many film festivals emerging across the country, with more people thinking about and engaging with cinema. He concluded that it feels wonderful to be part of such an environment.
