KATHMANDU: Despite facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nepali film industry is gradually getting back to normalcy. Recently, producers have started releasing two films every Friday, thanks to the commercial success of recent releases such as ‘Kabaddi 4’, ‘Prakash’, ‘Prem Geet 3’, ‘Jhinge Daau’, ‘Ae Mero Hajur 4’, ‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera’, ‘Dui Nambari’, and ‘Mahapurush’.
The success of these films has given producers the confidence to release their films alongside big-ticket Hollywood and Bollywood releases, as well as other Nepali films. As many as six Nepali films are scheduled to hit theaters on New Year’s day i.e. April 14. These include ‘Nai Nabhannu La 6’, ‘Prasad 2’, ‘Jaari’, ‘Bihe Pass’, ‘Bulaki’, and ‘Bhagvad Gita’. Film producers are hopeful that these new releases will attract audiences who are celebrating the New Year with great fanfare and rejoicing.
Actor Dayahang Rai alone has two films releasing on New Year’s day – ‘Bihe Pass’ directed by Prabesh Poudel and ‘Jaari’ directed by Upendra Subba. Actors often don’t want to see their films clash in the theater. But Rai is unnerved. Despite concerns about the two films competing for the same audience, Dayahang feels it will be easier for promotion and saves time. “Ultimately, the success or failure of a film depends on the people’s choice,” Rai told Himal Press.
Actor Dayahang Rai alone has two films releasing on New Year’s day – ‘Bihe Pass’ directed by Prabesh Poudel and ‘Jaari’ directed by Upendra Subba.
“The New Year’s day is on Friday. What better day is there to release films?” questioned actor Rai. “It is only natural for producers to cash in on the craze of the New Year’s day.”
Upendra Subba, the director of ‘Jaari’, also said there won’t be many problems if there are multiple releases in a day. “I don’t know about other films, but our film is ready for release,” Subba said. “Now that we have already announced the date, there is no reason to change. People will like the film if the story is good.”
‘Bihe Pass’ director Prabesh Paudel agreed with Subba. “It’s just a coincidence that Dayahang’s two films are releasing on the same day. We didn’t plan it,” he said.
The film was affected for a long time due to the COVID pandemic, according to Paudel.
‘Bulaki’, which was originally scheduled to be released on March 3, has now been moved to New Year’s day. Director Laxman Sunar decided to postpone the release to April 14, as he noticed not all announced films would release on that day. Sunar might have felt that big-budget films like Chakka Panja 4 and Chhadke 2, which are releasing on March 3, would affect his film’s performance in the theaters.
Bikas Acharya, the director of ‘Nai Nabhannu La 6’, said he does not believe that all the films preparing to release on April 14 will actually do so.
While some directors feel that multiple releases in a day could reduce the significance of films, others believe that good films will always be liked by audiences. Sudharshan Thapa, the director of ‘Prasad 2’, said he would tread cautiously as many films are releasing on April 14. “I will make a decision after studying the scenario because all the films will get fewer audiences if six films clash at the box office,” he said, hinting that he could change the release date.
Bikas Acharya, the director of ‘Nai Nabhannu La 6’, said he does not believe that all the films preparing to release on April 14 will actually do so. “Even if they do, audiences will evaluate and choose the best one to watch,” added Acharya.
According to Sunar, the quality of the film is the most important factor, and a solo release necessarily does not guarantee success. “The success of a film depends on its story, cast, and presentation,” he explained. However, it can be challenging to predict the audience’s preferences.
Sunar also alleged that established players in the industry often intimidate and harass newcomers by announcing release dates before completing their films.
