Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho 2013 12 -
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: Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho 2013 12
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.
Directed by Aparna Sen and based on the novel by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay Goynar Baksho
(2013) is a supernatural comedy-drama that uses a single box of jewelry to trace the evolution of Bengali women across three generations. Core Narrative and Thematic Evolution The film's primary metaphor is the jewelry box
, which represents the shifting position of women in society from 1949 through the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Feminism in India First Generation (Rashmoni/Pishima):
A child widow who is bitter, foul-mouthed, and fiercely protective of her "streedhan" (jewelry inherited as dowry). For her, the gold is a surrogate for the life and sexual freedom she was denied by patriarchal norms. Even as a ghost, she hoards it as her only source of power. Second Generation (Somlata): Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box) is a 2013
A timid but witty daughter-in-law who receives the box from Pishima’s ghost. She transforms the jewelry from stagnant "hoarded wealth" into active
, using it to start a business and become the family's secret breadwinner. Third Generation (Chaitali):
Somlata’s daughter, who represents the modern, educated woman. She views the jewelry not as security or capital, but as a resource for a greater cause, eventually donating it to the muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) during the 1971 war. Key Cinematic Elements Goynar Baksho (2013) - FAQ - IMDb
Themes and Symbolism
At its heart, Goynar Baksho is a feminist text. The jewelry box itself is the central metaphor.
- Security vs. Freedom: For Somalata, the box is a security blanket against a patriarchal world where she has no rights. It is her secret power. For Chaitali, the box represents a chain to be broken or a resource to be utilized for freedom.
- The Supernatural as Allegory: The ghost of Somalata is not just a plot device; she represents the guilt and traditions of the past that haunt the present. As she watches Chaitali sell her jewelry to build a house, she realizes that the "security" she clung to was actually a shackle.
- The Decline of the Zamindars: The backdrop of the film is the crumbling of the Bengali landed aristocracy. As the family fortune dwindles, the jewelry in the box remains the only liquid asset, highlighting the fragility of status without financial independence.
5. Social Media Captions (Instagram-length, 6)
- "When the past won’t let go — Goynar Baksho. #Legacy #BengaliCinema"
- "Jewels, jokes, and a ghost with flair. Watch the unraveling. ✨"
- "What would your heirlooms say if they could talk? #GoynarBaksho"
- "Between love and greed, which would you choose? 🎭"
- "A hilarious, haunting tale of women who refuse to be silenced."
- "Her jewelry told stories; they refused to be pawned."
The Performances: A Masterclass in Acting
- Moushumi Chatterjee as Pishima: This is arguably the comeback performance of the decade. As the restless, sarcastic, and tragic ghost, Moushumi is a revelation. She switches from hilarious tantrums to heartbreaking vulnerability in a single scene. Her dialogues about the hypocrisy of Bengali society are sharp, funny, and sadly timeless.
- Konkona Sen Sharma as Somlata: Konkona brings her signature naturalism to the role. Somlata is the silent, efficient homemaker who quietly learns to manipulate the system (and the ghost) to secure her daughter’s future. Her evolution from a shy bride to a confident matriarch is subtle and beautiful.
- Saswata Chatterjee: In a rare non-villainous role (post Kahaani), Saswata plays the gentle, slightly clueless husband caught between his living wife and his dead aunt. He provides the perfect comic foil.
Unpacking the Magic: A Deep Dive into the Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho (2013) – Why the “12” in Your Search Matters
If you’ve stumbled upon the keyword “Bengali Movie Goynar Baksho 2013 12,” you’re likely a fan of Tollywood (Bengali cinema) trying to locate a specific version, a sequel that doesn’t officially exist, or perhaps a reference to the film’s release around December 2013. Let’s clear the air first: There is no Goynar Baksho 2 or Part 12. The film is a standalone masterpiece directed by Aparna Sen, released on April 12, 2013. However, the “12” could refer to the date (12th April), a misremembered runtime (approx. 120 minutes), or even a TV broadcast slot. Regardless, the film remains one of the most cherished gems of modern Bengali parallel cinema.
In this article, we’ll explore everything about Goynar Baksho (2013)—from its stellar cast and soul-stirring music to its feminist undertones, box office performance, and why it continues to resonate over a decade later. Themes and Symbolism At its heart, Goynar Baksho
1. The Screenplay
Unlike Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s novel (which focuses more on Somlata), Sen’s script amplifies the ghost's voice. The 2013 movie uses the ghost as a satirical tool to critique patriarchal greed.
Why You Should Watch It (A Review)
1. A Feminist Fable Disguised as a Family Drama At its heart, Goynar Baksho asks: What is a woman’s wealth worth? For Rashmoni’s generation, jewellery was a status symbol and financial security she couldn’t touch. For Somlata, it’s a tool to save the family from ruin. For Chaitali, it’s startup money to open a garment business. The film brilliantly shows how women’s relationship with money and autonomy evolves.
2. Magical Realism Done Right Rashmoni as a petni is not scary—she is hilarious, cranky, and poignant. Moushumi Chatterjee delivers a career-best performance, floating through walls while chain-smoking and complaining about modern morals. Her ghostly presence is a metaphor for the lingering grip of patriarchal tradition.
3. Performances to Remember
- Konkona Sen Sharma is the soul of the film—quiet, resilient, and deeply empathetic.
- Moushumi Chatterjee steals every scene with her sharp tongue and tragic backstory.
- Saswata Chatterjee (famous as Bob Biswas) is wonderfully understated as the conflicted son.
4. The Music Songs like "Moner Pakhi" and "Aaj Jhoro Jhoro Mukhoro Boney" are hauntingly beautiful, composed by Debajyoti Mishra. The music feels like a soft breeze through a crumbling old house.
The Plot: More Than Just Gold
The story revolves around a centuries-old goynar baksho (jewellery box) passed down through generations of a Bengali aristocratic family. The box first belongs to Pishima (the eccentric aunt, played brilliantly by Moushumi Chatterjee), a feisty, outspoken woman who died young but refuses to leave the earthly realm.
When the box is inherited by the modern-day protagonist, Somlata (Konkona Sen Sharma), she discovers that Pishima’s ghost is still attached to her jewels. What follows is a unique relationship between a pragmatic young bride and a ghost from the past. Through Pishima’s commentary, we see the stark contrast between the repressed woman of the zamindar era and the relatively freer, yet still confined, woman of the 20th century.
Finally, the box passes to the third generation—Chaitali (Saswata Chatterjee’s character’s daughter), a rebellious young woman who sees the jewels not as sentimental heirlooms but as financial independence.