Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box) is a 2013 Bengali-language period fantasy comedy-drama directed by Aparna Sen
The story follows three generations of women and their relationship with a box containing 500 bharis of gold ornaments, serving as a metaphor for the changing position of women in society from the post-Partition era to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War Plot Summary The First Generation (Rashmoni): A child widow from a Zamindar family, Rashmoni (Pishima)
is fiercely possessive of her secret jewellery box. After her death, her ghost returns to guard the treasure from her greedy male relatives. The Second Generation (Somalata): Pishima’s ghost entrusts the box to her niece-in-law,
, an intelligent woman who eventually uses the jewels as capital to start a sari shop, transitioning the family from landed gentry to commerce. The Third Generation (Chaitali): Somalata’s daughter,
, a modern college student, eventually inherits the box. At the ghost's urging, she donates the jewellery to the Mukti Bahini
(freedom fighters) during the 1971 war, completing the journey from hoarding to social contribution. Key Details Aparna Sen Based on a novel by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay Main Cast: Moushumi Chatterjee as Rashmoni (the ghost) Konkona Sen Sharma as Somalata Srabanti Chatterjee as Chaitali (and young Rashmoni) Release Date: April 12, 2013
Watch the official trailer for a glimpse into the film's unique blend of humor and history:
The Bengali film Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box), released on April 12, 2013, is a celebrated supernatural comedy-drama directed by the legendary Aparna Sen. Based on the novel by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, the film uses a box of gold ornaments to trace the evolving social status of women across three generations of a Bengali family. Plot Overview: A Legacy of Lust and Liberation
The story centers on Rashmoni (played by Moushumi Chatterjee), the matriarch of a decaying zamindar family who was widowed at a very young age. Possessive of her secret stash of 500 bhari of gold, she dies and returns as a foul-mouthed, hookah-smoking ghost to protect her treasure from greedy relatives. The narrative follows three key stages:
The Hoarding (Rashmoni): Representing the repressed desires and lack of agency of early 20th-century widows.
The Capital (Somlata): Rashmoni’s niece-in-law, Somlata (Konkona Sen Sharma), uses the jewels as capital to start a sari business, moving the family from landed gentry to industrious commerce.
The Cause (Chaitali): Somlata’s daughter, Chaitali (Srabanti Chatterjee), an educated woman of the 1970s, ultimately donates the jewelry to the Mukti Bahini during the Bangladesh Liberation War, signifying a complete shift from personal greed to collective social good. Key Cast and Crew Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho 2013 12
The film is noted for its powerful performances, particularly the dynamic between the ghost and the living:
Aparna Sen's 2013 film Goynar Baksho (The Jewelry Box) is a satirical, supernatural comedy that uses a box of gold to trace the shifting roles of women in Bengal from the 1940s to the 1970s. Based on Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay's novel, the film is more than a ghost story; it is a witty critique of patriarchy and a celebration of female agency. The Three Generations of Change
The film centers on three women whose lives are linked by a wooden box containing 500 bharis of gold ornaments:
Rashmoni (Pishima): A child widow in a decadent zamindar household, Rashmoni is bitter and foul-mouthed. Denied a normal life, she channels all her passion and greed into her jewelry box. Even after death, she remains as a ghost to guard it, embodying the repressed desires of a woman sidelined by society.
Somalata: Rashmoni’s niece-in-law, played by Konkona Sen Sharma, represents a transitional generation. While she respects tradition, she uses her "native intelligence" to convince the ghost-aunt to pawn the jewels. She uses the capital to start a sari business, single-handedly reviving the family’s dying fortunes and turning her "good-for-nothing" husband into a responsible man.
Chaitali: Somalata’s daughter represents the modern, liberated woman of the 1970s. For her, the jewelry is no longer a symbol of status or survival but a resource for a larger cause. In a final act of liberation, she donates the gold to support the Bangladesh Liberation War, effectively ending the jewelry box’s cycle of possession. A Satire of the "Aristocracy"
Set against the backdrop of the Partition of Bengal and the move from East to West Bengal, the film mocks the faded grandeur of the landed gentry. The men of the family are portrayed as idle and ineffective, obsessed with their "aristocratic" habits while their wealth disappears. It is the women—initially through greed and later through industry—who adapt to the changing political and economic landscape. Why It Stands Out
Released on 12 April 2013, Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box) is a celebrated Bengali supernatural comedy-drama directed by Aparna Sen. Based on a novel by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, the film uses a haunted box of jewels to trace the changing social status of three generations of women against the backdrop of a declining zamindar family and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Plot Overview
The story begins in 1949 with Rashmoni (Moushumi Chatterjee), a child widow who is fiercely possessive of her 500-bhari jewellery box. After she dies, she returns as a foul-mouthed, witty ghost to ensure her treasure remains safe from her greedy relatives.
Title: Unpacking the Social Commentary in Goynar Baksho (2013)
Introduction
Goynar Baksho, directed by Pradipta Bhattacharyya and released in 2013, is a thought-provoking Bengali film that masterfully weaves social commentary with engaging storytelling. The movie, loosely based on a true incident, revolves around the lives of three women from different walks of life, whose stories intersect in unexpected ways. Through its narrative, Goynar Baksho sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of women in a patriarchal society, making it a significant contribution to contemporary Bengali cinema.
The Plot
The film centers around three women: Jaya, a young and ambitious television journalist; Lata, a middle-aged housewife; and Nirupama, a former sex worker. Jaya, investigating a series of mysterious events, stumbles upon Lata, who is being coerced by her family to marry her son to a girl of their choice. Meanwhile, Nirupama, seeking redemption, attempts to rebuild her life after being ostracized by society. As their paths converge, the women find solace in each other's company, ultimately leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Social Commentary
Goynar Baksho serves as a scathing critique of the societal norms that constrain women's lives in India. The film tackles themes such as patriarchy, objectification, and the stigmatization of marginalized communities. Through Jaya's character, the movie highlights the challenges faced by women in male-dominated professions, where they are often expected to conform to traditional norms. Lata's story, on the other hand, illustrates the limited agency afforded to women within the confines of marriage and family. Nirupama's narrative serves as a powerful indictment of the societal hypocrisy that condemns sex workers to the fringes of society.
The Significance of the Title
The title "Goynar Baksho" translates to "The Jewellery Box," symbolizing the secrets and stories that women keep hidden, often locked away in their personal spaces. The film cleverly uses this metaphor to represent the inner lives of its female protagonists, whose experiences and emotions are frequently overlooked or suppressed. By exploring the contents of this "jewellery box," the movie brings to the fore the complexities and richness of women's lives, challenging the audience to reevaluate their assumptions about womanhood.
Conclusion
Goynar Baksho (2013) is a remarkable Bengali film that deserves recognition for its bold storytelling and thought-provoking themes. By shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of women from diverse backgrounds, the movie offers a nuanced commentary on the human condition. As a work of social commentary, Goynar Baksho succeeds in challenging societal norms and sparking meaningful conversations about the role of women in Indian society. Through its powerful narrative and memorable characters, the film leaves a lasting impact on the viewer, making it a significant contribution to contemporary Bengali cinema.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Goynar Baksho is a must-watch for anyone who loves intelligent, character-driven cinema. It is a film about ghosts that feels more alive than most modern blockbusters. It understands that the fight for a woman’s right to her own life (and her own gold) is a multi-generational battle. Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box) is a 2013
Whether you are a fan of Rituparno Ghosh, a lover of Bengali literature (the film is based on a story by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay), or just looking for a heartwarming yet thought-provoking film, open this box. You will find not just gold, but the tears, laughter, and resilience of Bengali womanhood.
Have you watched Goynar Baksho? Which generation of women did you relate to the most—Pishima, Somlata, or Chaitali? Share your thoughts below!
Released in 2013, Goynar Baksho ("The Jewelry Box") is a critically acclaimed Bengali horror-comedy directed by Aparna Sen . Based on a story by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
, the film follows three generations of women and their evolving relationship with a box of inherited gold, serving as a metaphor for the changing position of women in Bengali society. Core Narrative and Characters
The film spans roughly half a century, moving from post-partition India to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Rashmoni (Pishima): Portrayed by Moushumi Chatterjee
, she was widowed at age 11 and lived a life of severe austerity while obsessively guarding her 500-bhari gold jewelry box
. After her death, she returns as a mercurial ghost to ensure the jewelry stays within the family. Konkona Sen Sharma
, she is a timid but witty bride who enters the declining Zamindar household. She uses the jewelry not for vanity, but as capital to start a business and save the family from poverty. Portrayed by Srabanti Chatterjee
, Somlata’s daughter represents the modern woman. Evolved beyond material attachment, she eventually gives the jewelry away to support the Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) in the Bangladesh Liberation War Major Themes
The interaction between these two actresses in the 2013 release was praised for its natural rhythm, feeling neither theatrical nor forced.
If your search for "Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho 2013 12" is to watch the film or that specific segment: Final Verdict Rating: ★★★★☆ (4
