Pokhi (Assamese: পখী) is an Assamese language drama film directed by Jahnu Barua. It was released in 1998 as is the second instalment of his trilogy — the other two being Xagoroloi Bohu Door (1995) and Konikar Ramdhenu (2003). Pokhi won a National Award for Best Feature Film in the Assamese Category in 2000.
Powal is a boatman in Nemuguri village that is situated on the bank of the river Dihing. Since there is no bridge at that point of the river, Powal's job is assured. For some three generations his forefathers have been ferrying people to and fro. Life goes on smoothly until Powal begins to hear persistent reports about a bridge to be built across the river.
The story is set in 1962, the time of Sino-India war. It revolves around a widowed teacher named Ritu who is transferred to Koronga, a small Assamese village. The school here was destroyed by fire ten years earlier. Ritu takes on the challenge of rebuilding the school and starts campaigning among the villagers.
With this ecological drama, Assam’s leading director Jahnu Barua continues exploring the conflict between corrupt state politics and a determined individual (cf. Halodiya Choraye Baodhan Khaye, 1987). The forest ranger confronts illegal timber merchants and contractors on behalf of impoverished tribals. The honest ranger’s activities get him into trouble and he is constantly transferred from one post to another, to the annoyance of his wife who wants him to settle down and look after their ailing child. Eventually she supports her husband’s fight and the tribals realise they need weapons to defend themselves against rapacious outsiders.
