Nepali Halls Dominated by Foreign Films Amidst Local Shortage

Kathmandu. Nepali halls are currently devoid of Nepali films. Foreign films are directly benefiting from this. The main reason is that no new Nepali films were released last Friday, and the films released before that did not perform as expected at the box office.

Specifically, the Nepali film 'Jaad', released on Asar 12, performed weakly commercially. As a result, hall operators have had to reduce Nepali films and give more shows to foreign films. Currently, major multiplex chains in the country are filled with foreign films.

In various branches of QFX, Nepal's largest multiplex chain, nine films are currently being screened, all of which are foreign. The films currently showing at QFX include 'Nagbandhan', 'Minions and Monsters', 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Cocktail 2', 'Colony', 'Toy Story 5', 'Obsession', 'Alpha', and 'Baby Due Die Du'. Due to the absence of Nepali films, these foreign films have received good space and shows in the halls.

Not only QFX, but other popular multiplexes in the capital like Big Movies, One Cinema, and INI Cinema also show a dominance of foreign films. Big Movies and One Cinema are screening six foreign films including 'Nagbandhan', 'Minions and Monsters', 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Cocktail 2', 'Obsession', and 'Baby Due Die Du'. Similarly, INI Cinema is also screening these films according to audience choice.

Karan Shrestha 'Crazy', a member of the Film Association and Chairman of the Distributor Committee, states that there are two main reasons behind the scarcity of Nepali films in Nepali halls and the sole appearance of foreign films. 'The first reason is that no new Nepali film was ready for release last Friday,' Karan said, 'The films released the previous week, 'Jaad', and the film before that, 'I Am Jit Bahadur', did not perform satisfactorily commercially. Due to low audience turnout, hall operators had to remove those films from the screen.'

He also states that the scarcity of films is due to the traditional belief in the Nepali film industry that films do not run in Asar. 'Who would release a film when it's believed that films don't run in Asar?' Karan added, 'Halls look at the commercial aspect. With no audience for Nepali films, they have only screened foreign films.'

Next Week 'Bhagdoud'

Although Nepali halls are lacking Nepali films this week and only Hindi films are being shown, a Nepali film 'Bhagdoud' will be released next week. The production unit recently announced the release date for 'Bhagdoud' as Asar 26.

The film, directed by Himal Upreti, is based on foreign employment, finance and cooperative fraud, and the various ups and downs in people's lives. Director Upreti said that the film is an interesting mix of love, revenge, and chase.

The film features Nisha Shrestha, Ghanshyam Joshi, Sharda Rai (Diana), Vishal Pokharel, Shishir Chapagain, Deshbhakta Khanal, Laxmi Giri, Shankar Maharjan, and Subash Timilsina in lead roles. The film is presented by Vishwaram Bisht, executive produced by Angira Thapa, and co-produced by Bhupendra Kumar Khadka, Sagar Puri, and Suresh Giri.

This film, produced by Supreme Music and Film Pvt. Ltd. and National Cine Group Nepal, will also showcase the stories of Bungamati, a historic and traditional Newar settlement in Kathmandu, and its surrounding areas along the Bagmati River, according to presenter Vishwaram Bisht.

The film features cinematography by Deepak Bajracharya, editing by Pravin Dhakal, and music by Basanta Sapkota and Prakash Nepali.