Pooja, Sir

2024 film by Deepak Rauniyar

Deepak Rauniyar
David Barker
Asha Magrati

Produced by

Deepak Rauniyar
Asha Magrati
Ram Babu Gurung
Alan R. Milligan

Starring

Asha Magrati
Nikita Chandak
Dayahang Rai
Reecha Sharma
Bijay Baral

CinematographySheldon ChauEdited byJ. Him LeeMusic byVivek Maddala

Production
companies

Aadi Films
Baasuri Films
Tannhauser Gate

Release date

29 August 2024 (2024-08-29) (Venice)

Running time

118 minutesCountries

Nepal
United States
Norway

Languages

Nepali
Maithili
Hindi

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]

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."^[7]

Accolades

Award	Date of ceremony	Category	Result	Ref.
Venice Film Festival	7 September 2024	Orizzonti Award for Best Film	Nominated	^[8]

References

^ Ramachandran, Naman (14 February 2022). "Berlin Talent Deepak Rauniyar Casts India's Tannishtha Chatterjee in 'The Sky Is Mine' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
^ Ramachandran, Naman (29 August 2024). "Nepal's 'Pooja, Sir' Defeats Cancer to Make Venice Debut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
^ Ramachandran, Naman (12 October 2023). "Venice-Winning 'White Sun' Director Deepak Rauniyar Wraps 'The Sky Is Mine,' Scores Sorfond Funding (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
^ Ramachandran, Naman (27 August 2024). "Venice Horizons Competition Title 'Pooja, Sir' Unveils First Sales, Teaser (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
^ 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). Retrieved 29 August 2024.
^ POOJA, SIR (Orizzonti): Interview with Deepak Rauniyar #venezia81. Fred Film Radio. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024 – via YouTube.
^ Fulton, Claire (29 August 2024). "Pooja, Sir Film Review: This Woman's Work". Loud And Clear Reviews. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
^ Ford, Lily (7 September 2024). "Venice Film Festival Awards: Pedro Almodóvar Wins Golden Lion for 'The Room Next Door'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 September 2024.