Nepali Films Face Release Slowdown in Asar Amidst Agricultural Season and World Cup

Kathmandu. The release of films in the Nepali market does not seem to be stable. In some months, the pressure of released films in halls increases significantly, while in some months, only one or two films are screened. This month of Jestha saw Nepali films filling the halls. Six new Nepali films were released in Jestha. In the first week of Jestha, Aanchal Sharma starrer 'Ek Muthi Badal' and Surakshya Panta starrer 'Life Damage' were released. 'Ek Muthi Badal', based on a social story, presented the dowry system and family complexities prevalent in Nepali society, while 'Life Damage' presented a family story in the 'Fantasy Comedy Drama' genre. Similarly, in the second week of Jestha (Jestha 8), Bipin Karki starrer romantic film 'Kazi' and Dayahang Rai and Saugat Malla starrer 'Mitojyu' were released. While 'Mitojyu' presented a story of friendship and social conflict, 'Kazi' attempted to entertain the audience with a classical love story. Like in previous weeks, two films, 'Roll No. 1' and 'Kumbh', were released on Jestha 15. Mukun Bhusal starrer 'Roll No. 1' was about child psychology and its impact on the education system, while 'Kumbh' was an action-drama genre film. Among the six films released, the business of 'Mitojyu' and 'Roll No. 1' was satisfactory, but other films did not perform as expected at the box office. Although 6 films were released in Jestha, there is a slowdown or 'drought' in releases in the upcoming month of Asar. Looking at the release calendar so far, only two films, 'I Am Jeet Bahadur' and 'Bhagdaud', are scheduled for release this month. 'I Am Jeet Bahadur', scheduled for release on Asar 5, is produced by comedian Jitu Nepal. It will show the struggle, challenges, and emotional journey of a young man who comes to the city from a film village with dreams of becoming an artist. The main two reasons for the film drought in Asar this year are. First, it is Nepal's agricultural season, and second, the World Cup football. This film, directed by Indian Bengali director Subhendu Ghosh, features actors like Jitu Nepal, Barsha Raut, Priyanka Karki, Sandeep Chhetri, Deshbhakta Khanal, among others. This film is considered special for Jitu Nepal, who has completed a three-decade-long acting career. Similarly, the film 'Bhagdaud', scheduled for release at the end of Asar, on the 26th, has just announced its release. Written and directed by Himal Upreti, the film stars Anisha Shrestha, Ghanshyam Joshi, Sharda Rai, Vishal Pokhrel, and Laxmi Giri, among others. The film's main theme is the moral crisis arising from greed, avarice, deception, and fraud seen in human life. The story is woven against the backdrop of Bungamati, a historic and cultural Newar settlement in Kathmandu, and the banks of the Bagmati River. The film attempts to showcase Bungamati's ancient civilization, Newari art and culture, and the traditional coexistence of various communities. Why the drought in Asar? The main two reasons for the film drought in Asar this year are. First, it is Nepal's agricultural season, and second, the World Cup football. In our country, Asar is known as the month of 'planting one manna and reaping a mound'. For years, it has been believed that film business is not good during this season as most people are busy with agricultural work. Second, filmmakers believe that audiences will not go to halls as everyone's attention will be focused on the World Cup football. Uday Subba, President of the Film Producers Association, says there are some practical reasons behind the low number of film releases in Asar. The big market for Nepali films is also outside the Kathmandu Valley. During this time, most of the audience there are busy with farming. Asar and Shravan are mainly months for planting and harvesting crops. Many people living in cities also go to the villages during this time to harvest crops or plant new ones. This reduces audience presence in halls, and filmmakers hesitate to release their films. Subba says that due to the monsoon rains and Asar being a season of rain, it is very difficult for audiences without their own means of transport to reach the halls due to continuous rain. The effect of the weather is not only in Asar-Shravan but also seen during the extreme cold of Poush-Magh, Subba added. In the past, films were not released at all in the month of Asar. But now the situation is gradually changing, and he considers the release of two films this year as positive. Subba believes that if the films released now do good business in the market, the number of film releases in Asar will increase in the coming years. Film distributor, actor, and producer Karan Shrestha 'Crazy' says that besides monsoon rains and agriculture, international activities also directly affect the film market. He believes that due to global sporting events like the World Cup football, the number of films in Asar is low. In previous years, there was a situation where no films were released in Asar. It is positive that two are being released now, Shrestha said. There are mainly two reasons for the low number of film releases in Asar. The first reason is that Asar-Shravan is the monsoon season, so there is a high possibility of rain. The second reason is that this year is also the season of the World Cup football. Shrestha understands that the impact of the World Cup is not only in Nepal but also on film releases worldwide. Films involve huge investments. In such risky times, filmmakers do not want to bear commercial losses, Shrestha added.