Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) Review: Fractured Family

Shadowbox offers a powerful look at survival and family dynamics, anchored by Tillotama Shome’s moving performance despite a weak third act.

The family’s fragile dynamic is shattered when Sundar disappears one night, only to return days later as a murder suspect, forcing them to confront not just external threats but the deep fractures within their own home. Shadowbox is as much a portrait of resilience as it is a quiet condemnation of societal neglect, with stunning performances that elevate an otherwise uneven narrative.

From its opening moments, Shadowbox feels alive and textured, thanks to its on-location shoot in Kolkata. The streets are dusty and crowded, the houses feel cramped yet lived-in, and the neighborhood hums with a kind of chaotic energy that grounds the story in realism. These early scenes establish a vivid sense of place and make Maya’s daily grind feel palpable. 

Tillotama Shome is undoubtedly the heart of the film, delivering a performance that’s equal parts restrained and devastating. As Maya, she balances subtlety and vulnerability, carrying the emotional weight of the story on her shoulders. The tension between love and frustration simmers in every interaction she has with her husband, Sundar, a man who often feels more like a second child than a partner. Sundar’s childlike innocence, coupled with his incompetence, adds complexity to his character. Maya talks for him, schedules interviews, and even sits beside him when they take place, as if she’s guiding him through a world he no longer knows how to navigate.

Chandan Bisht, as Sundar, is mesmerizing, stealing every scene he’s in. His performance captures a man broken by war and time, whose confusion and fear manifest in subtle yet heartbreaking ways. In one particularly powerful scene, he stares blankly during a job interview while Maya answers every question on his behalf, desperate to make him seem employable. It’s a small moment, but it encapsulates the film’s emotional core: a woman stretched to her limits, carrying the burdens of two lives. 

Despite its strong performances and immersive world, Shadowbox falters in its third act. The tension builds steadily, with Sundar’s disappearance injecting a much-needed sense of urgency into the story. However, the resolution feels underwhelming and rushed, leaving several narrative threads unexplored. Without revealing spoilers, the ending lacks the emotional punch the rest of the film promises, leaving you with a sense that more could have been done. Extending the film’s runtime to flesh out these moments might have given the climax the weight it deserved.

Still, Shadowbox is a poignant look at love, trauma, and resilience. While it stumbles in its final moments, the film’s heart lies in the quiet sacrifices of working women like Maya, women who hold families together even as the world conspires to tear them apart. With unforgettable performances from Tillotama Shome and Chandan Bisht, lasting impression, even if its final moments falter.

Shadowbox premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on February 16, 2025. Read our Berlin Film Festival reviews and our list of 20 films to watch at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival!