Tillotama Shome’s Bengali film Baksho Bondi premieres at Berlin International Film Festival

Tillotama Shome’s Bengali film Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox) had its premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 17. Directed by debutants Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, it also stars Sayan Karmakar and Suman Saha in pivotal roles.

As per a press release, the film tells the story of Maya, a woman juggling through multiple jobs of caring for her teenage son and husband, a retired army soldier battling PTSD. When he vanishes under mysterious circumstances, Maya faces a fight for survival that tests her strength, love, and resilience. 

Reflecting on the film's reception at Berlinale, Tanushree said, “Experiencing the world premiere of our film at Berlinale, with its story finally coming to life on the big screen, was an incredibly special moment for us. This film has been a labor of love, shaped by the dedication and collaboration of so many creative geniuses from across the cinematic spectrum over the course of many years.”

Co-director Saumyananda added, “Berlinale holds a very special place in my heart—it was here, twenty years ago when I was 17, at the Talent Campus, that I first began to shape my voice as a filmmaker. To return now with my debut feature feels both surreal and deeply fulfilling. It’s a full-circle moment! Having our film premiere at a festival as prestigious as Berlinale is both an honor and a profound milestone, and we couldn’t have imagined a more meaningful stage to introduce our film to the world.”

The film has been produced by a collective of 17 producers coming together to back its vision. The producers said in a joint statement, “The making of Baksho Bondi has been deeply meaningful for all of us. Berlinale has a staggering legacy of championing independent films, and been the home of many of our cinematic heroes. We're honoured and excited, and grateful to be here."