Film Review: Pooja, Sir
by Marinell Haegelin
Deepak Rauniyar, Nepal, USA, Norway 2024
It’s an unusual kidnapping case that pulls strings in Nepal’s teeming capital city, Kathmandu, for the worthy Inspector Detective Pooja’s (Asha Magrati) trip to Rajagunj, a border town. Three days have passed without a ransom note, or hint as to where the youngsters are. One, the son of local wealthy politician, Pravin Yadav (Parmeshwor Kumar Jha), and headmistress Sabita Koirala (Reecha Sharma) of the city’s only school intensifies the pressure. Hence, Pooja is sent for to take over and solve the high-profile case. Arriving amidst the 2015 Madhesh movement’s warring political factions, Pooja navigates the volatile territory carefully. The detective promptly deduces the strongly leaning patriarchal society’s close-mindedness and backwards smalltown mentality.
Police captain Madan (Dayahang Rai) is glad his old colleague is onboard; Pooja is aware of subtle misogyny, plus a certain laissez-faire attitude in the station. Assigned a small task force, whereas Amar (Bijay Baral) quietly works and assists, Mamata’s (Nikita Chandak) feistier attitude needs tempering. Perhaps it’s the stationhouse undercurrent, or that she’s Madheshi. Pooja’s patience, quiet certainty, uninhibited negotiability and demand for respect—“Pooja, sir” is how she’s to be addressed—impresses Mamata. Clues are elusive, some people are afraid to come forward, the civil unrest is distracting, and then there’s the suicide. Like any domino effect, once the case starts unraveling, the momentum erases people’s moral courage and innate fears. Pooja digs deep enough to unearth the irrefutable corruption that’s the root cause, and the culprit. Assurances are given, plus promises made by the parents and authorities that crumble under media spotlights. Now, Pooja must find out if she can live up to the “sir” title.
Director Deepak Rauniyar’s procedural whodunit is tightly told, brilliantly layered, and impressively acted. Magrati, with breasts bound and hair shorn short, embodies the highly competent, logical, and dedicated female(s) navigating mainly male workplaces, Chandak is the quick and competent woman thirsting for knowledge and respect, and the strong supporting cast breathes life into this social-based drama that’s based on real-events. Vivek Maddala’s imaginative soundtrack harmonizes with Sheldon Chau’s wide-ranging cinematography, J. Him Lee’s astute editing and informative B-roll insertions create an absorbing, compelling story whereby audiences can assess, understand institutionalized racialism, sexism, and bigotry.
