Pahuna: The Little Visitors 2019

In a remote village nestled in the hilly terrain of Nepal, a series of gunshots pierce the air, triggering widespread panic among the villagers. In a frantic rush, they scramble to escape the village, guided by the desperate suggestions of Manju Chhetri’s husband who volunteers to distract the rebels. As the villagers flee, Manju finds herself torn and returns to the village, driven by the fear that her husband might be harmed. After entrusting her three children to the villagers, she sets off with them, knowing that two of her children, Anmoul Limboo as Pranay and Ishika Gurung as Amrita, are capable of walking, while the youngest, Bishal, is merely a few months old.

The frightened villagers embark on a challenging trek across the hills, seeking safety. One evening, as Pranay and Amrita sit down to dinner, Mahendra Bajgai, playing the role of Rai Budo, attempts to spook them by weaving tales of the Yeti. His intent is benign, aimed at ensuring the kids eat their meal, yet it backfires as the children misunderstand the story. Later that night, while discussing the potential journey to Pelling, Sikkim, Rai Budo shares unsettling tales about Christians, claiming they are harmful, even hinting that a priest abducts children to consume them. Pranay overhears this alarming discourse, and in turn warns Amrita.

Determined to protect their younger sibling, Pranay and Amrita escape with Bishal in tow. They find refuge in an abandoned bus during their flight, where they are fortunate enough to have enough supplies for several days. The following morning, Pranay spots the Christian priest wandering through the jungle. He recognizes him from a previous encounter where the priest spoke about dressing in white or black with a cross.

Over time, Pranay befriends an elderly man, offering to assist him with his goats; in gratitude, the old man supplies him with milk each day. Simultaneously, Amrita takes up work assisting a pregnant woman, and their collaborative efforts allow them to manage their duties effectively.

However, complications arise when the pregnant woman begins to experience labor pains. After successfully giving birth, she suddenly realizes that Bishal is alone, sending her into a panic as she rushes into the jungle, only to find that their bus has been towed away. Upon returning from their daily toil, Pranay discovers from the driver that their brother has been taken to the church by the priest. They swiftly devise a daring plan to rescue Bishal from this ominous setting.

Once at the church, fear grips them as they confront the priest in silence. When he threatens to call the police, they plead for the return of their brother. To their astonishment, the priest leaves quietly. As they prepare to take action, the door swings open, revealing their mother. The children recount their terrifying ordeal, and she reassures them that priests do not harm children.

Reunited, their mother leads them to their father, who is recovering from his injuries sustained during the chaos. The villagers also arrive, and amidst the turmoil, a sense of reconciliation slowly takes root within the community.