Within moments of her death, Pishima's ghost bequeaths the box to the terrified but clever Somlata. As the ghost haunts her, Somlata persuades her to use the jewels as capital to start a sari business, effectively transforming the family's fortunes and moving them from a feudal mindset to the world of commerce.
Aparna Sen uses magic realism not just as a visual gimmick, but as a narrative engine. The interactions between Somlata and the ghost are treated with a casual, everyday realism that heightens the comedy. Sen also weaves historical trauma—like the loss of ancestral lands during Partition—into the fabric of a domestic comedy, proving that the personal is always political. Technical Brilliance and Music
When Rashmoni dies, she does not leave the world behind. Instead, she returns as a ghost to guard her beloved box. She chooses Somlata (Konkona Sen Sharma), the timid new bride of the decaying aristocratic household, as the custodian of her secret treasure.
The Hauntingly Hilarious Legacy of Goynar Baksho (2013) A changing society often leaves its women behind, but it cannot silence their ghosts. Released in 2013, Aparna Sen’s Bengali horror-comedy Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box) uses a box of gold ornaments to unpack three generations of changing womanhood in Bengal. Clocking in at a rich two-and-a-half hours, this cinematic gem masterfully blends magical realism with sharp social satire. Core Overview Aparna Sen Release Year: 2013 Genre: Horror / Comedy / Drama Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho 2013 12
Represents the era of hoarding and personal security through jewelry. Generation 2 (Somlata):
An independent woman who eventually gives the box away to support freedom fighters during the war. Performances Goynar Baksho (2013)
Usually, mother-in-law/daughter-in-law stories in 2013 focused on conflict. Goynar Baksho subverts this. The living and the dead become allies against a common enemy: greedy patriarchy. Within moments of her death, Pishima's ghost bequeaths
Known for his versatility, he plays a key role, adding to the film’s charm and comedic moments.
Directed by Aparna Sen and based on the novel by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay Goynar Baksho
For Chinmoy and the patriarchal system, the box is —an asset to be hoarded, controlled, and never used for women’s agency. For Somlata’s generation, however, the box becomes currency for change . She does not hoard or wear the jewels out of vanity. Instead, she shrewdly brokers them: a pearl necklace is sold to fund her daughter’s education; a pair of bangles is used to negotiate her niece’s love marriage. The box, which once silenced women, now gives them a voice and a future. Sen brilliantly argues that financial control, not just emotional support, is the bedrock of female liberation. The interactions between Somlata and the ghost are
While widely appreciated, some reviewers noted that the pacing was uneven and the ending felt slightly overambitious compared to the intimate, character-driven first half. 6. Why Watch Goynar Baksho (2013) Today?
Somlata , the shy but witty new bride, is entrusted with the box by Rashmoni's ghost. Somlata uses her intelligence to pawn the jewels to fund a sari business, moving the family from declining aristocracy into commerce.
For those who wish to experience this acclaimed film, "Goynar Baksho" is available for streaming on various platforms. It can be watched on and Hotstar (now known as Disney+ Hotstar), and it is also available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video .