Nepali Film Industry Sees Record Investment Projections for 2082

Kathmandu. Producers are set to invest approximately 3 billion rupees in Nepali film production in the coming year. This fact is highlighted by the list of films registered with the Film Development Board for the year 2082 (from Baisakh to Chaitra).

In Nepal, it is mandatory to obtain permission from the Film Development Board, including a cost declaration, before producing a film. In accordance with this provision, 230 films have received production permits for the year 2082. According to data released by the Board, a total investment of over 2.89 billion rupees has been declared for these films. This amount is higher compared to previous years, as an investment of approximately 2 billion was declared last year.

• Films ranging from 500,000 to 100 million

Two types of producers are currently active in the Nepali film market. On one hand, there are those who want to present stories on a modest budget, while on the other, there is a group making films on large budgets targeting the international market. However, there is no fixed standard for investment in film production in Nepal.

The 230 films that have received production permits from the Board are not of the same nature. While most are Nepali-language feature films, some are in mother tongues such as Gurung, Nepal Bhasa, Rajbanshi, Tharu, and Tamang. According to the data, films with budgets ranging from a minimum of 500,000 to a maximum of 100 million rupees have been registered this year.

The film with the highest declared investment of 100 million is 'Maiti'. Being produced under the banner of Cinema Art Pvt. Ltd., the producer of this film is Raunak Bikram Kandel, and it will be directed by Suyog Gurung. Among the cast, only the name of Supushpa Bhatta has been mentioned so far.

Similarly, two films are being produced with the lowest investment of 500,000: 'Sagar Birla' and 'Alpabiram'. 'Sagar Birla' is being produced in the Rajbanshi language by S4G Films Pvt. Ltd. The film, produced by Sant Bahadur Limbu and directed by Narendra Laoti, will feature Sant Bahadur Limbu, Radha Rajbanshi, and Samjhana Rajbanshi. The other film, 'Alpabiram', is being made in the Nepali language. Produced by Broadcasting Media House Pvt. Ltd., the film's producer is Anil Khati and the director is Bijay Krishna Shrestha. It is reported that Riya Pun and Bijay Krishna Shrestha will act in the film.

• Analysis of multi-million rupee films

As investment in film production increases, so does the risk. However, producers do not seem hesitant to make large investments. There are 101 films that have declared production costs between 10 million and 30 million, including 21 films with a cost of 10 million, 62 films between 10 million and 20 million, and 18 films with a cost of 20 million. Films like Kasturi, Kasyap, Pangre, Dui Kinara, Generation, Good Luck Bhairai, Pandey Ko One Day, Ek Dui Teen, Captain Kalika, Box, and Shubh Bibaha are on this list.

Similarly, there are 34 films that have declared investments between 20 million and 30 million, including 'Jung Bahadur', 'Camino', 'Kahan Bhetiyela', 'Jhingedau-2', 'Chhal Kapat', and 'Ita Bhatta'. Likewise, 7 films with budgets between 30 million and 40 million have been registered, including 'Ekka Teen', 'Bairi Priya', 'Pari Butwal', 'Jahajaima', and 'Kolahal'.

Only one film, 'Tathastu', has been registered with an investment of over 50 million, with a declared cost of 54 million.

• Will all declared films be made?

In the past, the number of films receiving production permits from the Film Development Board was around 150 annually, but only 60 to 70 were actually produced and released. Although the number of those taking production permits has reached 230 this year, there is doubt about whether all these films will be produced.

According to Ganesh Subedi, a member of the Film Development Board, only 60 to 70 percent of those who take production permits actually produce their films. The remaining films are stopped midway for various reasons.

Subedi says, 'Some register just to occupy the film's title. Some come with enthusiasm initially, but later fail to manage finances and never go to shooting. There is an economic recession in the market right now, and management is chaotic, so many dreams remain limited to paper.'

He also mentioned that there is a trend of registering without preparation just to get media attention. Subedi also stated that some individuals are involved in the business of registering good names to sell them at a high price, and they register many names at once.