Pooja, Sir

Pooja, Sir
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDeepak Rauniyar
Written by
  • Deepak Rauniyar
  • David Barker
  • Asha Magrati
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySheldon Chau
Edited byJ. Him Lee
Music byVivek Maddala
Production
companies
  • Aadi Films
  • Baasuri Films
  • Tannhauser Gate
Release date
  • 29 August 2024 (2024-08-29) (Venice)
Running time
118 minutes
Countries
  • Nepal
  • United States
  • Norway
Languages

Pooja, Sir is a 2024 crime drama film directed by Deepak Rauniyar. It premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 29 August 2024.

Premise

Amid the political landscape of the Madhesh movement, two young boys go missing in the village of Rajagunj in southern Nepal, and Inspector Pooja Thapa is brought in from Kathmandu to solve the case.[1]

Cast

  • Asha Magrati as Inspector Pooja Thapa
  • Nikita Chandak as Mamata, a Madheshi police officer
  • Dayahang Rai as Madan, the police captain
  • Aarti Mandal as Saraswati
  • Reecha Sharma as Sabita Koirala, a headmistress and Pravin Yadav's wife
  • Bijay Baral as Amar
  • Gaumaya Gurung as Rama, Pooja's partner
  • Pashupati Rai as Menuka
  • Ghanashyam Mishra as Ram
  • Niraj Shrestha as Sabita Koirala's brother
  • Prameshwar Kumar Jha as Pravin Yadav, a politician and Sabita Koirala's husband
  • Chandra Dhoj Limbu as Pooja's father

Production

Principal photography took place in Madhesh Province, Nepal, and was completed by October 2023.[2][3]

Release

A teaser trailer was released on 27 August 2024.[4] The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 29 August 2024 as part of the Orizzonti competition.[5] Several actors did not attend the premiere because they could not acquire visas.[6]

The film was selected for the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, where it competed in the South Asia Competition.[7]

Reception

Claire Fulton of Loud and Clear Reviews gave the film three out of five stars, writing, "Deepark Rauniya's Pooja, Sir is really effective as a thrilling police procedural, but falters a little with its intimate character moments."[8]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Result Ref.
Venice Film Festival 7 September 2024 Orizzonti Award for Best Film Nominated [9]
MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 24 October 2024 South Asia Competition Nominated [10]

References

  1. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (14 February 2022). "Berlin Talent Deepak Rauniyar Casts India's Tannishtha Chatterjee in 'The Sky Is Mine' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (29 August 2024). "Nepal's 'Pooja, Sir' Defeats Cancer to Make Venice Debut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  3. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (12 October 2023). "Venice-Winning 'White Sun' Director Deepak Rauniyar Wraps 'The Sky Is Mine,' Scores Sorfond Funding (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  4. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (27 August 2024). "Venice Horizons Competition Title 'Pooja, Sir' Unveils First Sales, Teaser (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  5. ^ Aricò, Giacomo (2 August 2024). "Festival di Venezia 2024, si comincia: il programma con film, date e le star più attese". Vogue Italia (in Italian). Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. ^ POOJA, SIR (Orizzonti): Interview with Deepak Rauniyar #venezia81. Fred Film Radio. 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Scroll Staff (9 October 2024). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will open with Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine as Light'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  8. ^ Fulton, Claire (29 August 2024). "Pooja, Sir Film Review: This Woman's Work". Loud And Clear Reviews. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  9. ^ Ford, Lily (7 September 2024). "Venice Film Festival Awards: Pedro Almodóvar Wins Golden Lion for 'The Room Next Door'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  10. ^ Shankar, Ananya (30 September 2024). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Announces its 2024 Official Film Selections". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 25 October 2024.