Swor Samrat Narayan Gopal's name needs no introduction to all the Nepali out there. A legend in the Modern Music's first generation (Adhunik Geet yug) was borned today, (Oct 4) in the year 1939. Marking his birth anniversary, I am here to post top ten unknown incidents in his life (taken from film maker/writer Prakash Sayami).
I always want to read top tens in everything until now that I have started writing top ten stuffs in my blog.In this post, I am putting my own best Movies of all time. These movies are not only in the top of my favorite lists, but also are the greatest movies of all time in the history of Cinema.
Chaudhary Group, one of the biggest business house of Nepal (popular for electronic products and food/beverages) is all set to enter the telecom market with the brand name CG tel.
Sep 11, 2015: Kalo Pothi: a Nepali movie is creating big bang at the international movie arena by being selected for many film festivals, including Venice Film festival, Busan film festival. It was in news that the movie is also getting positive response from the reviewers in such festivals. The movie is now known to have got the Best film award in Venice film festival critics week, Italy. Min Bahadur Bham, the writer/ director of the movie has shared the news in his Facebook with the picture of the award certificate.
As known from the synopsis, the movie shows the adventure of two boys and their hen intertwined with those of the community in a small remote village (in Karnali region) when the war between Government army and Maoists Guerrilla was actually happening (during late 90's). The boys (from different community) go through series of incident in such conflict era, which also tells how unity is possible with diversity. The movie is produced together by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa (Mila Productions) and Debaki Rai (Shooney Films).The release date of the movie inside the country is still not known, but the movie as expected will surely travel around the world with some more awards to bag.
This is a great achievement for our country and all the film makers here. In this glorious moment, I would like to congratulate the team in making such a wonderful movie which is successful in grabbing awards in international arena. Really a proud moment for all Nepali movie fans.
After getting the award, the director dedicates the award to his beautiful country, fellow Nepalese (including all film makers in Nepal).
The teaser of the movie gives you goosebumps for the scenario back in the insurgency period when the news in radio had only the killings by State and Rebels.
August 31, 2015: It was in news that the sequel to the well appraised movie of the year 2071, Kabaddi was under production six months before. Now it seems that they are near to the completion as the first teaser (both video and first look) are out today. The movie sequel, named Kabaddi Kabaddi, includes almost all of the actors/characters (including Dayahang Rai, Rishma Gurung, Buddhi Tamang, Bijay Baral) while Nischal Basnet seems to be there behind the scene only and Saugat Malla is the new hindrance for Kaji to get Soltini.
Apart from the funny dialogues and lively sequences, the movie is expected to have some politics play in it with not so dumb Kaji, unlike in the first part. Maya- the Soltini is still not convinced for the love that Kaji has offered but he has not given up to follow his dreams and so here is the first powerful dialogue from the movie. "Money attracts money, Love attracts love, tyo man le yo mon ko kura ekdin kaso nabujhla".
The movie directed by Ram Babu Gurung is known to release this winter with the trailer meetup on Ashoj 4. Music of the movie is done by Kali Prasad Baskota (the maker of Jaalma from Resham filili). More details and preview when the trailer gets released.
Here is the first teaser of the movie Kabaddi Kabaddi in Youtube.
I have never seen such a strong faith in any Nepali movie director that Nepalis are giving upon Mr. Director Nischal Basnet. The faith he has earned from the people is due to his amazing cinematic work in the blockbuster Loot and they believe his second directorial venture has more to offer than Loot. We need more of such directors for the betterment of Nepali film Industry, and whose story telling shall develop every aspects of film making from technical side to actors to film crew. Here is what his latest has to offer.
TalkJung Vs Tulke is a movie about a poor laborer in a village in the western region who calls himself "BabuSaab" (the royal) but people treat him the exact opposite way. The "good for nothing" character's real name is TalakJung Singh Thakuri but people call him "Tulke" derogatorily. Tulke keeps whining about his greatness and involves in brawl with others for his love "Phuli" and mere issues. The movie takes place in the era when most of the villages in the country are affected with the insurgency and this village is no exception. The protagonist is so naive that he takes armed conflict as an simple task and asks them to mix him in the group without knowing what the armed revolution is all about. He keeps mumbling about taking revenge of the Local feudal "Babusaheb" and his son, who are ruling over the poor laborers but he does not have that courage to stand against, unless he is drunk. In an unexpected turning point, he is forced to evict from the village with his head cross shaved ("Char pate mudera"). TalakJung enters Kathmandu, meets a group of thugs and helps them collect huge sum by intimidating people in the name of fake insurgent groups. The unprecedented encounter of all other members with Police leaves him no choice but to return back to the village that he would have done anyway, to take revenge of his insult. The village now has changed a lot due to the armed conflict. As the revolt in the village leads to a tragic conclusion, the "Good for nothing" TalakJung happens to do the best thing that I think establishes an identity that he was searching for.
The story line is quite simple and inspired by Chinese Novel "The true story of Ahq" that is well molded to Nepali domain by the screenplay writer Khagendra Lamichane who is also the lead actor, playing Tulke. The presentation of the movie is done in a comic style with such grave issue of armed revolution in the background. The movie won't take side for the human killing but the innocent dialogue asking the revolutionist not to kill people ( Krantikari haru lai Munche chahi namara bhande hai!!) gives the reflection of Tulke's mind (who wants to join the revolutionists). Flawless acting from the lead Khagendra Lamichane (Tulke), Richa Sharma (Phuli), Sushank Mainali (Suke), Dayahang Rai and Rabindra Singh Baniya (Binay) is quite remarkable and obvious for the established actors and theater artists. As Khagendra was mostly blindfolded in his first movie Badhshala, this movie proved his acting skills and will definitely get more invitations for new movies. Black beauty Richa Sharma without makeup or probably adding more black in her face, has done full justice to the character. Dayahang Rai and Bikram Singh have no major role in the movie apart from some loot and the item song. The slow paced movie manages to keep people adhere to the screen for almost full time, though there are some sequences that looses the theme and at times even makes you forget Tulke. The eight lakh worth item song "Nachana" is energetic and arouses good feeling in the audiences, but not up to the level of Udreko Choli. Apart from the Paschimi (western region) accents (like Kya arni ho, munche and many more), the movie is also better in putting finer details like radio program of that era, Darpanchaya show in BishwoJoti. Though people have admired the movie as a whole, some people shared the ending could have been better but may be that's the way it ends in the original story. Director Nischal Basnet (Actor Kabaddi) has definitely kept the faith for the people with this dark comedy. I am now wondering if its gonna be "Loot 2" or "Dimag Kharab" that he will start putting into action first.
One additional thing that I appreciate is the initiative in playing the National anthem at the start of the movie. This is a common practice in various part of the world where we even being a foreigner stood to give a respect to the country. This helps to promote the patriotic spirit and should be practiced from the Cinema hall side or the Government itself.
Talented actor Arpaan Thapa's Directorial Debut Mukhauta is going to release this Friday, Jestha 30 (June 13): the same day of Kickoff of first game of World cup 2014. I happen to know there is a premiere show on the eve before the release day.
Mukhauta is a thriller based on gangster world which is known to deal with the various faces of the mafia regime like love, hatred, politics and atrocities. We can expect bloodshed killings, betrayal, and some suspense in the movie as seen from the trailer. Being a film graduate, Arpan Thapa, and from his performance in Batch no. 16, Sick city, Dhanda(also script writer), Chadke, we have learned he has got huge potential in acting / film writing. Now he has embarked on this journey of Direction for his own script. He himself is one of the lead roles in the movie along with other stars like Superstar Rajesh Hamal, Saugat Malla (in a exciting new mafia look and more f* words like he did in Loot), Dayahang Rai (corrupt police officer, we can expect some comic act from him), Sunil Thapa (as Mr.D like Godfather of Mafia in Thamel). "Robin and the new revolution" lead singer Rabin Tamang is also featured as a Mafia in the movie (his second after Chadke), along with Model/Choreographer Prashant Tamrakar. Nisha Adhikari (Apabad) and Harshika Shrestha are the female leads in the movie. You can watch some colorful romance of Nisha Adhikari and Arpan Thapa in the movie.
Producer Rabin Shrestha, CEO of Reef Entertainment is quite hopeful of the movie with the versatility of Arpan Thapa in script, direction and acting, together with the epic 5K camera. It is known that he has movie in his blood, also being a film graduate from Singapore, who has even done a OST for the movie featuring Yama Buddha. The movie has original score from Jason Kunwar and is known to be distributed by Popcorn group.
This is Rajesh Hamal's first movie release after his long talked marriage and with such line up of best Nepali actors and the talent of Arpan Thapa along with the massive promotions, I am positive of the movie to do good business but still good movies do not always end up earning money here in our country. So if the movie is worth watching, I will give all my effort in promoting it. As a matter of fact, lets all do something to promote good Nepali cinema.
This time I am going to the premiere show (happening on Thursday, Jestha 29), who knows they may let me in. :P
Here is the trailer of the movie Mukhauta from Youtube.
Aawaran the movie set to release on Friday, is giving me this feeling that the movie is either a direct copy or inspired from a Hollywood flick. With the movie trailer which shows a women with two kids, haunted house and suspense regarding the haunter, I suspect it to be a remake of Nicole Kidman starer "The others". In that movie, the women tries to protect her photosensitive children from the haunter inside the house but the reality is exact opposite as the shown strangers are the ones who are actually being haunted by them.
Subash Koirala who adapted the Korean movie "Castaway on the moon" for his directorial debut Apabad, made an impression on me for expecting excellency in his future works. I think Priyanka Karki (after success of Jholay) will have significant acceptance for this role, as we are already delighted with her vocal in the OST featuring Yama Buddha.
Even if the whole movie plot or a part of it is inspired or direct copied, the movie should entertain people with nice presentation and performance, then only it can be considered worth and justifiable. Writer Anil Yonjan might be aware of this fact before putting ink on the story/script. The movie has already made a premiere show on Thursday eve, which is only for the celebrities and their near ones. So, many people have already known the fact about the remake / copy / adaptation but I have to wait till I watch the movie on my penny.
Talented actor Arpaan Thapa's Directorial Debut Mukhauta reschedules its release date citing the need of more time for technical works and promotion. Earlier the movie was scheduled to release on May 30 (Jestha 16), which has been postponed to Jestha 30 (June 13).
Mukhauta: a thriller based on gangster world is known to deal with the various faces of the mafia regime like love, hatred, politics and atrocities. We can expect bloodshed killings, betrayal, and some suspense in the movie as seen from the trailer. Being a film graduate, Arpan Thapa, and from his performance in Batch no. 16, Sick city, Dhanda, Chadke, we can he has got a huge potential in acting / film writing. Now he has embarked on this journey of Direction for his own script. He himself is one of the lead roles in the movie along with other stars like Superstar Rajesh Hamal, Saugat Malla (in a exciting new mafia look), Dayahang Rai (corrupt police officer), Sunil Thapa (as Mr.D like Godfather of Mafia in Thamel). "Robin and the new revolution" lead singer Rabin Tamang is also featured as a Mafia in the movie along with Model/Choreographer Prashant Tamrakar. Nisha Adhikari and Harshika Shrestha are the female leads in the movie. You can watch some colorful romance of Nisha Adhikari and Arpan Thapa in the movie.
Producer Rabin Shrestha, CEO of Reef Entertainment is quite hopeful of the movie with the versatility of Arpan Thapa in script, direction and acting, together with the epic 5K camera. He has movie in his blood, also being a film graduate from Singapore, who has even done a OST for the movie featuring Yama Buddha. The movie has original score from Jason Kunwar and is known to be distributed by Popcorn group.
Here is the trailer of the movie Mukhauta from Youtube.
Mastram, the fictional autobiography of an anonymous erotic writer, is scheduled to release on May 9, 2014. There has been huge competition in getting the all india rights for the movie as it has created a buzz from the very beginning with such explicit content. Gangs of Wasseypur writer Akhilesh Jaiswal has set his foot in film making with the directorial debut in Mastram. The trailer has already garnered million hits on the video sharing website Youtube. With no any star cast and not even a big production flick, the movie has created such a hype in Indian film Industry that it is already seen as a big hit, with such a provoking adult content.
The movie is a story of a writer who aspires to be an established author but ends up writing pornography anonymously under the name Mastram and becomes an instant hit in the railway stalls, small streets in North India. As the Mastram books are even published today but his identity is not out yet, the movie is based on the fictional biography of the popular pornogrpahy writer. The filmmaker has also tried to convey message to the society to change the way in treating a porn writer.
Bohra Bohrs production Mastram stars Rahul Bagga in the lead role whereas Tara Alisha berry debuts as his wife. Though It has created a big hype in our southern neighbour and is scheduled to release on May 9, the movie is not known to release on the same date here in Nepal. No worries as the pirated ones will be widespread on the very same date, but it will be a great fun to watch it in bigger screen.
The movie opens in Naurikot- a village in Mustang (400km from Kathmandu) where a third-grade failed "Kaji" has one and only dream of "owning" Maiya- his soltinee (Daughter of maternal uncle). Though he has the first claim to marry his "Mama ko chori" as per a belief in Thakali community, she does not give a shit for the Loafer "Fupu ko chora" may be due to his rude behavior, and he also does not seem the perfect choice for a girl who wish to pursue her study in town. Two other Loafers do everything to support Kaji, they even back him to forcibly take away Maiya to make his spouse: a tradition in Magar community which is now in the verge of becoming obsolete. Enter a guest from Kathmandu, who speaks filmy kind of dialogue with some fishy motives, allures Maiya, troubles Kaji's life and the serious tussle begins with physical assault to long chase. The Kabaddi (one of the popular traditional game in Nepal) chase in the second half of the film changes venue to Kathmandu and the most of the fun shown in the trailer ends to a different turn. Most of us find the first half to be more entertaining but second half does not stop pleasing you till the end with a twist in the story line.
Dayahang Rai with his "gople" attitude is always the best and people adore the Kaji character so much that even when he crosses the limit for troubling Maiya, you are towards Kaji's side (at least I was). Lootmaker Nischal Basnet has now shown his acting skills in the movie that was not quite foolproof with his cameo appearance in Uma and Fitkiree, yet he believes more in his direction as mentioned as a part of the movie. Female lead Rishma Gurung's innocent performance is also wonderful on the screen, giving a fresh look to the movie alongside such a pristine location. Pleasant humor with such native story of plain love, ethnic tradition, myths, hatred and wise screenplay makes it a fine movie with Director Ram Babu Gurung playing his part quite satisfyingly with no overdone acting and nice presentation. But the lip syncing in the movie fails in many scenes, also including during the only song "Maya khai kasle bujhyo" - a noticeable lapse for such a nice movie.
As Nepali people still await Loot like movies to pour into the cinema hall, Kabaddi meets the level to draw a big attention, making a great start to the cinema industry for the year 2071. A super duper from my side which means a big Yes for the total entertainment.
With the new idea to crowd fund a movie where actors to technical crew take a stake of the profit, it is quite easy to sustain the movie and we need more of such funding or big productions conglomerate for some time to uplift the industry in real sense.
The movie Kabaddi went totally with my intuition as mentioned in the preview- I have written few days back despite a lil' skepticism back then. When the movie started reel-ing inside the full packed QFX hall, laughing gas flew like a wildfire making the "ranga" cum bike ride such a fun that everyone kept laughing and they hailed the work with a huge round of applause. It seems movie crew also enjoyed it as much we appreciate the movie, as known from the clipping of the shooting shown towards the end.
Though the above quote and the trailer of the nepali movie Kabaddi has so much to say about the movie, the real saying will only be known on Baishak 12, "Raga chadne miti". The movie trailer has already won the hearts of many with the funny local villagers accent and dialogues. Shot in a village of Mustang, the comedy love story is known to offer the battle between "Kaji" and "Sahar ko Pahuna" to get "Soltini".
The dumb "Gople" looks of Dayahang Rai is quite sensational and it is expected to make high turn out for that character alone. Even the presence of fame "Loot" director Nischal Basnet adds more excitement in the people. He is also one of the direct investor of the movie together with Sunil Rauniyar, where other artists like Director Ram Babu Gurung (Anagarik), Actor Dayahang Rai, Cinematographer Puroshottam Pradhan are also the indirect investor of the movie for not taking any allowance for the movie. They are known to share the movie profit as their remuneration.
The movie also has in store for the debutante actress Rishma Gurung, the female lead in the movie who had already performed in some local Gurung movies. Her naive performance in the movie known so far from the trailer is quite remarkable and has much to do for the natural glance though the movie has some filmy elements in it. The powerful dialogues is more hilarious and I expect more of such, other than those in the trailer like "Man pareko jutta po jutta natra khali khutta nai thik cha", " Hoina aba chopne ho.... Kukhuro ho ra chopna lai", "Tapai ta film ko hero jasto dekhinu huncha ta , bhanepachi villian chahi ko paryo ta", "ye dai yo ghoda ho ki khacchad ho.... Raga ho bhai". I am quite restless to see how the Kabaddi jumble unfolds on Baisakh 12, 2071: the very first day of its release.
From all the intense remarks from the people and the innovative concepts in reaching more people like the trailer parody contest and Daily quiz, I am sure of the movie to be a smash hit unless it falls on serious ground which had happened previously with some Nepali movies. Some preparedness though I am more on the +ve side.
Lets promote Nepali cinema.
Here is the trailer of the Nepali movie Kabaddi on Youtube.
झोला चलचित्र समिक्षा लोकप्रिय कृती माथि चलचित्र बनाउन
जती गार्हो हुन्छ, अझ त्यसलाई न्याय गर्न त झनै गार्हो हुन्छ । चलचित्र जुन कृती मा बनेको हो उक्त कृती लाई न्याय गरेको ठहरिए मात्र चलचित्र सफल भएको मान्न सकिन्छ ।
धेरैले पढेको, रेडियो/अनलाईन
बाट सुनेको कृष्ण धराबासी को कथा "झोला" मा आधिरित चलचित्र "झोला सती
एक कु-प्रथा"लाई बनाउन पनि त्यती सहज पक्कै पनि भएन होला । त्यस्तो असहजता को
बिच पनि सय बर्ष अगाडी को समाज लाई चित्रण गर्दै जुन आट र साहसले यो चलचित्र लाई
दर्शक माझ पुर्याउन सफल भए त्यस्लाई मान्नै पर्ने हुन्छ ।
चलचित्र को कथा बारे धेरै भन्नु नपरे पनि यसमा कसरी एउटा महिलालाइ आफ्नो श्रीमान को मिर्त्यु पश्चात उनकै चिता सङ्गै जल्न बाध्य पारिन्छ, अनि एउटा बालकलाइ कसरी एकै चोटी बुवा र आमा दुबै को शोक बेहोर्न पर्छ, त्यसलाई मर्मस्पर्शी ढङ्गले देखाउन प्रयत्न गरिएको छ ।
चलचित्रमात्यतीखेरको रुदिबादी समाजमानि एउटा महिला को जिउने अधिकार रक्षाको लागि कसरी उनका आफ्न्तको साथ र समर्थन मिल्छ, त्यसलाई देखाउदै नारी अधिकार को पक्षमा आवाज उठाइएको छ ।
सिनेमा को फ्रेममा दुइ चार मिनेट मात्र अटाउने बाहेक प्रमुख पात्रमा खेल्ने कलाकारहरु गरिमा पन्त, दिपक छेत्री, देश्भक्त खनाल, लक्ष्मी गिरी र बाल कलाकार सुजल नेपाल को अभिनय तारिफयोग्य छ । त्यसमाथि पनि नायिका गरिमा पन्त र उनको बृद्व श्रीमान को भूमिकामा रहेका दिपक छेत्री को अभिनय अझ धेरै उत्कृष्ट छ ।
जेसन कुवर को धुन/संगीत कर्णप्रिय हुँदा हुँदै पनि कही "लाउड" लाग्न सक्छ, त्यसमा संगीत को माध्यमले दर्शक को मनमा ढ्याङ्ग्रो ठोकाउन खोजेको भान हुन्छ । लेखक स्वयम को उपस्थितीले चलचित्रलाई धेरै नै बल मिलेको छ र सिनेमालाई उहाको कल्पनासिलतासँग नजिक तुल्याउन पनि सजिलो भएको हुन पर्छ । तर यती धेरै सबल पक्षका बाबजुतनि चलचित्रको मुख्य मुटु जुन सती जादाको दृश्यलाई हृदय बिदारक देखाउन चाही केहि हद सम्म चुकेको नै भन्न मिल्छ, जसमा उपयुक्त प्रबिधी को प्रयोग नभएको बुझिन्छ ।
हुन त छोटो कथा मा आधारित भएर नि होला चलचित्र सार्है छोटो लाग्न सक्छ तर त्यो चितामा सती बस्दा को दृश्य र ओडारमा बसेको दृश्य हरु अलि कम गती मा देखाइएको भए अझ राम्रोहुने थियो भन्ने महशुस हुन्छ ।
समग्रमा भन्नु पर्दा यसरी लोकप्रिय/मौलिक कथा माथियत्ती को चलचित्र बनेकोमा सबैले निर्देशक को काम लाई सर्हाना गर्दै एक पटक हेर्न हल सम्म जानु पर्ने हुन्छ। साहित्य मा रुची राख्ने देखी उक्त कथा नपढेका/नसुनेका तर त्यसबारे छिट्पुट सुनेका सम्मकालाई चलचित्र हेर्न हल सम्म पुग्ने सम्भावना भएकोले चलचित्र को ब्यापर राम्रो हुने छाटकाट देखिन्छ ।
Senior actor Anup Baral turns movie Director with Fitkiree, which has released its first official trailer today. He has been directing many plays in theater and had even played TV serials in NTV during his starting career but it is the first time he has directed a feature movie. Famed actor of Kagbeni, Batch No 16, Das Dhunga, Badhshala, was the talk of the town lately with his direction for popular drama "Court Martial".
Here is the first trailer of the movie Fitkiree, as taken from the producer Arjun Kumar's official Youtube Channel.
The movie had released its first song, Deusi song during Tihar festival which was much admired by people. With the mind blowing trailer, I have this feeling the investigative thriller is made excellently, making it the most awaited Nepali movie for 2014. As shown in the trailer, the story of the movie can be expected to be the investigation of kidnapping of a businessman named Ram ji lal, and the search for the truth ending in an unanticipated result. Saugat Malla, Deeya Maskey, Shanti Giri and "Loot" maker Nischal Basnet are the major actors in the movie, which is written by movie buff cum journalist Yangesh. The line where Nischal Basnet says with an superb Hollywood kinda look, "I have a fucking Masters degree major in psychology", and the boyish kinda Nepali reply from Saugat Malla, "fucking in??... Psychology". makes it damn hilarious. It is also known that Chaitra 7, 2070 (March 21, 2014) is already set as the release date for the movie. For other information, we have to wait for other trailers and more words from the film makers.
If you are going to watch a movie written, produced and played by comedians, you would definitely expect hell of a comedy to get full entertainment and that's what Cha ekan cha makers promised to give. The grand opening of "Cha ekan cha" also shows the vast anticipation in people for big comedy blow out with the kings of comedy TV serials such as Tito Satya, Meri Bassai and Jire Khursani. Despite the terrific business for two days and the days ahead, the movie falls short of the exciting storytelling & the level of humor that has been anticipated and at times you even get confused whether you are watching a comic serial or a feature film.
Six characters: a bankrupt businessman, a luscious lawyer, a bolly flick inspector, a clumsy poet, a trustful servant and a squatter/beggar aka "magne", try to win the heart of a rich girl "Astha" played by Neeta Dhungana, all for the wealth the orphaned girl has got. Her "unrealistic" impression for all the not so interesting people goes away instantly after knowing their truth one after another. But having said that, you are not done with all the story as you could find several hilarious sequences within.
Though the dialogues and actions highly inspired from Bolly flick "Dabang" for the character Pandey (played by the writer himself Deepak Raj Giri) gives a good round of applause and amusement, I am against the whole idea of ruining our own identity for being safe in business, and at least the mock up song (Dhokebaaz re) does not suit a Nepali movie made from such senior actors. For that matter, it is a big letdown to me. Magne buda (Kedar Ghimire) with his same magne attire and unique character rocks the most among all. Sandip Chetri (Host of What the flop) giving out comic poetry, gets a noticeable presence in the movie which he did not get from Highway. Raj Ballav Koirala has showed the real dynamics of his acting skills in this movie with the portrayal of a Nepali Don with comic newari accent. However the awkward English accent and the loud acting of female protagonist have more negative remarks from people, despite her glamorous presence. It also feels like Director Dinesh DC has not quite properly connected the dots (comedy sequences) to get a good cinematic experience.
The movies seems unnecessary elongated towards the end, with not so funny remarks and excitement, that makes a movie goer like me feel to be cheated by the word "full entertainment". I would say it is a 'fantoos entertainment' but still I recommend to give it a try just for some comic time out.
Famed music video director Asif Shah's directorial debut Karkash has opened pretty well with good occupancy in theaters. The QFX show I watched was almost full, which I think is due to the huge publicity, humor content and the popular actors. Now the real concern is if it is going to maintain the good start.
***********Spolier alert********** Karkash is a dark humor with a very nice script and shocking comedy that arise well along the 2 hour long adult certified movie. Karkash- a rock band in Thamel is in search of a vocalist as the current singer left the band with the bizarre behavior of other members: satyr 'Andy'- Drummer played by Dayahang Rai, stutter 'Prabhat'- lead guitarist played by Satya Raj Acharya and hearing impaired 'Sandesh'- bass guitarist played by Reymon Das Shrestha. They want a singer to take part in a band competition that could make them win 1 lakh cash but when they met a pub owner Ivan (Suraj Singh Thakuri), the story takes a big turn to different side other than music. Drug/money smuggling, sex/relationships, and the escapade not only makes a good plot but makes people interested throughout the movie. There is not a single moment where you want to take a break, not even for your full bladder.
Some shocking comedy like Police Inspector (played by Rajan Ishan) manhandling Prabhat for previous revenge and single woman landlord's relationship is truly hilarious and done simply without vulgarity.
The loose ending may disappoint some for which I would say it could have been better with such an interesting plot but it is their choice to end their movie (not bad though), nonetheless Karkash is full of entertainment and has much creativity and effort in the making from cinematography to songs to direction to acting. Some cameos from popular artists including the director himself as a clumsy music video director, are worth the additional enjoyment. Though it seems like all actors are given equal roles, Dayahang Rai's performance overshadows other actors including much hyped Suraj Singh Thakuri. Songs like 'Thamel bazaar and 'Taremam are superb whereas other popular songs like Summer of '69, No women no cry, Born to be wild, instrumental piece of Metallica song and Maya meri Maya makes good environment for music lovers in the cinema.
With such clever script and apt performance from actors that enthralls you in a big way, the movie will surely maintain the opening collection despite few cliches. Don't miss this Nepali style black comedy.
Making a movie based on armed conflict itself is very challenging take; filmmakers also have to be really cautious in portraying the insurgency that took life of almost 15,000 people and brought unhealing wounds to many families. But Umahas different story to tell than seeking the judgement of the decade long revolt. Here are some words for the movie.
In a village of Banepa, lives a family with a ill & widowed mother (Mithila Sharma), a police inspector son Milan (Saugat Malla) and a recently +2 pass daughter Uma (Reecha Sharma). Though they are happy together with what they have got, they have to think twice for Uma's further study in Kathmandu. Due the lapse of time, the impact of insurgency reaches the village in which they live and the circumstances leads Uma to involve in the war against the state as she is not left with any option. The movie also shows the inhumane acts by both sides (government forces and Maoists rebels) done in the name of encounter, "Safaya", revenge and with strong belief in the saying "There are no rules in war" (Yuddha ko kunai niyam hudaina).
Though the movie has female rebel Uma as a protagonist; Saugat Malla and Mithila Sharma's role has equal weight and the movie is nothing without them. Gone are the days when we used to comment at actors performance in Nepali cinema, saying their performance could have been better. Specially with the entrance of theater based artists, we are now left with other options to comment than the actors' performance. So, I don't feel worthy mentioning the artist's performance (which I just did :P). New actors like Praween Khatiwoda, Pramod Agrahari, Prakash Ghimire are among those not to mention. Cameo of Tulsi Ghimire as himself, and Nischal Basnet as Bhuwan Hamal also adds some refreshing charm to the movie, in contrast to Dayahang Rai (a maoist rebel) whose presence is not actually felt in the movie.
With a good story, screenplay and cinematrography, Uma is an excellent movie and shows the brother sister relationship- torn apart by situations changing Uma into a female rebel and the inevitable touching confrontation. After watching many short movies with some missing feature like content, I am quite satisfied with two hours+ feature that keeps you bound till the end and entertains you with the cinematography plus some eye filling emotions as You just don't need comedy or romance to be entertained.
Though I don't like the idea of putting a full song in a movie other than the snippet of the OST, the slower version of "Sirimasiri", "Rana maidan ma" fit well in the movie. Director Tsering Rhitar Sherpa partnering in for story, screenplay has put a lot of effort that culminated in such remarkable movie. Producer Tsering Choden also deserves the praise to finance such movie. Once an RJ in Hits FM (the FM I was stuck all the time during the no internet days), She was already acclaimed for her documentary in Democarcy Video Challenge back in 2009. As a downfall, the movie has limited the rebel war to bank robbery and high ranking police officer's "Safaya", which I doubt to be intentional from such creators.
Even with such energetic performance, crowd pulling story and exciting trailer, I don't know what makes people stop from pouring in the cinemas. I feel so disappointed for the less turnout, and highly recommend it to watch after all we are the ones to support our own cinema. With the disappointment, I recall my friend's saying that we love our nation and creations by our people BUT we just don't know how to show the affection; be it in the matter of being indifferent to wrong political development or our very own people's creation. Its high time we start transforming our culture to consume Nepali products- cinema being one of them.
It has been a month since I have reviewed a movie in my blog. Sometimes I feel it is so easy to review a movie, pointing out flaws from an individual perspective but if we see from film makers end, its a difficult task to make a perfect movie that can win the heart of millions. So, they even argue if the reviewer can make better movie on his/her own. No matter what, every individual has got the right to say/write about a movie they have watched, after all they are the ones for which the movie is made and no one should be questioned for what the individual has felt unless he/she is on a mission to destroy the movie. I don't have any mission other than promoting new Nepali movies and Here is what I have felt for the movie Antaral.
A simple comedy that flows in a very natural way, tells the friendship of four guys- Kamalikant (Kamal Mani Nepali), Lekhak (Lokendra Lekhak), Rhythm (Manav Subedi) and Ghanu (Ghanu Bhai Joshi). As each of the individual face different kind of challenge to run their life, they are brought together to live in a room. Kamlikant- hailing from East to study journalism meets far western Lekhak and Kathmandu denizen/ Amateur Singer musician Rhythm in a college and develops friendship together. A manpower agency victim Ghanu, joins their team as he has nowhere to go other than his far western brother Lekhak. The movie shows the difficulties of people from different parts of the country to live a student life in Kathmandu and their different desire, commonly to do something inside the country.
The movie also shows some love relationships, that mixes well with the main story- the friendship and the struggle to run a life together. Rhythm's girl friend Pooja played by Namrata Sapkota and Landlord's daughter Manila played by Ashisma Nakarmi portray a good girlfriend character, helping the four guys in every difficulties. The comic relationship of Manila's brother Dango (with thug looks / actions), is very entertaining. At one sequence when Dango goes to his girl friend's home to talk with her parents about their relationship, the cinema hall (with not much viewers) witnesses a good round of laughs. But the same thug like Dango puts real trouble in their life which gets a change of course afterwards.
I happen to underestimate this movie with the "not so" enticing trailer and majority of new actors but what I have got, is way beyond all the expectations. Besides some loud voices and vexing background score, the movie entertains you the most with a typical story and natural presentation. All the actors have given fine performances (esp. Kamal Mani Nepali and Namrata Sapkota are more noticeable). No offense to the musicians, but the movie could have been cut short with those songs which I felt unnecessary. Funny dialogues and realistic sequences are the most praiseworthy, So Director Deepa Basnet should be saluted for such movie in debut.
Highly recommended for a simple and natural entertainment.
Finally, after more than a month of wait and some dialogues of the movie makers with Nepal Army and Censor board, Badhshala got released in Nepali cinemas from Baishak 6 as the release date of Falgun 25 gone in vain due to censor board's indecision and Nepal Army's objection. The movie was already released uncensored in Australia and some other countries and I too had written the first review based on what my friends from Australia conversed to me. Here is what I felt about the movie after watching.
Badhshala is a story of torture inside an army barrack (Bhairab Nath Gand) during the emergency period due to maoists insurgency. The story being based on the books like Adhyara 258 dinharu by Jitman Basnet, Manav Badhshala by Krishna KC and an anonymous article written by an anonymous Army shows an innocent teacher who is taken to Badshala -(meaning slaughter house in english) for accused of being a maoists, face the humiliation and his hope to go alive from the barrack dies eventually. The army batallion is shown to contain many detainees both innocent civilians and maoists cadres, who are forced to commit themselves of being maoists by signing a paper written by the army and are ultimately killed in a jungle.
Movie also depicts stubborness of a maoist cadre who refuse to give information about their shelter, the whereabouts of their party leaders and who does not even get afraid of being shot when he was taken to a jungle to show some demo live gun shots killing.
Though Director Manoj Pandit told me in a candid converstaion that he is against the whole idea of blaming a movie to take sides, the movie written and directed by him manages to keep the balance
for not taking either sides. The movie shows how the detainees are humiliated, tortured and disappeared from an army batallion and portrays the cruelness of a national army towards maoist rebel without supporting the maoists agendas for the war against the state.
Movie even shows how Royal Nepal Army officers developes some relation with the detainees where in a scene the army major invites discussion with the maoist in a tea sitting and an army even makes tobacco for the innocent teacher. There is a conversation between the army major and the maoist where they point each other for violating human rights, with army treating people like animal inside the barrack and maoists threatening people for donation. The argument is truely a neutral depiction of what people feel about the both sides and it also shows how the both sides feel right for their work, one for the achievement of people's right through revolution and another for the security of the state and its people.
The torture story takes turn when a letter from one of the detainees gets leaked to the outside world, and to know more what follows suit you should visit theatres near you.
Though some cutting of the torture sequences by the censor board and silencing of Maoist leaders name make the movie somewhat feeble, the acting/performance, background score, plot and the
cinematrography puts the movie at a superior position and I see it as a landmark in the Nepali Movie history. Some moments like the fast dialogue from angry Arpan Thapa's character that is hard to catch and repetition of the same torture again and again comes to me as the downsides. Lastly with such superb movie made on our native story and without much remarkable budget, I feel like its a big slap to all those movie makers who mixes story from bollywood to reshow it in Nepali and to all who allege the movie budget to be the major hurdle for excellent movies.
First ever 3D movie in Nepal- Vigilante got released from Friday and my first half of the saturday holiday went just for the movie.
Vigilante is a movie about lust, love, friendship,and betrayal where a road trip of 6 people(3 guys and 3 girls ) turns into a mishap as they have to live near the jungle due to some problem with one of the bike. Though there is no effort in bringing out the characters at first, the suspense thriller unfolds the nature of six characters along the movie : A broken heart- Niraj (played by Subash Thapa), a marijuana lover- Sujan (Gajadi) played by A Gurung, a cheap girl Seema (Shikha Shahi) in search of new bf, a serious girl Melina (played by Menuka Pradhan) who gets a picture of what happens with them in near future and a new generation couple (Ashish and Shisti played by Raj Ghimire and Priyanka Karki). As they are there to have fun, they do so by playing Kabbadi in the river bank, not so daring bottle spinning game, and some fun by Gajadi works. But when two of them, Seema and Gajadi Sujan goes missing in the night of their stay outside a home of a weirdo, the movie turns to an adventurous way.
Good effort from Stereographer- Purushottam Pradhan for bringing out the first ever 3D experience with a suspense thrilling plot and nice presentation from Director cum Producer Dipendra K Khanal (Director-Chapali Height). But a good plot and a nice adventure with 3D at a perfect location goes in vain due to unrealistic acting and loud dialogues from most of the actors.
Also the long running-away scene without the dialogues makes you impatient at times, which once almost made me walk out of the cinema hall,but stayed just for the full movie review. The movie succeeds to keep the mystery for whether its a horror or a thriller movie as the first scene shows a suicide of a man in groom attire.
Though they could have put some exceptional 3D scenes from such an exotic location, we should praise them for the first ever 3D experience that will obviously inspire others to bring in other technologies to Nepali movie industry but technology should always come together with good performance unless it's an animated one ( I don't know if Full animated feature length Nepali movie is in the coming??).
If 3D is only what you are looking from this movie, then go for it but I could not find the new dimension that I was looking for, so the movie is nothing but the 3D. BTW 3D cleavage may be worthy to some :P
Imagine a remote mountainous village with a changing weather, where a stutter "Kancha" (cattle man) and a mute girl "Kumari" love each other and there the need to earn some money for living wont lead the story to what they had dreamed of. Kathaa is a love tragedy filled with emotions, emotions and more emotions that a person (who have been in love) will heartily feel it and get the shivers. Movie has all the emotions, be it the love making pleasures, the anxious wait for their loved ones, the misery that they wont come back, the flashbacks of good moments and much more.
However, the movie has a slow pace that could upset some but the touchy emotions are worth the watch that quite mingle with the weather around. Actors Saugat Malla and Usha Rajak have miraculously portrayed the characters that deserves big applaud. Timothy Rai- the last/third character Sonam (Kancha's friend) has not also left us disappointed. In a big surprise, we could see a old women (Kumari's mother) outstanding emotions in her eyes that is very rare to find from a local villager. Kudos to Mr. Prashant Rasaily for making such wonderful movie even without a written script and 14 days pack up astonishes everyone. Now I wonder how the movie would have been made with the thriller/horror theme which they had thought of before.
I am about to wrap up the review but if you are seeking for whether to watch the movie or not, then I would recommend it to all those who have a heart and could stand the tragedy for more than 2 hours but make sure you bring enough tissues along. And a big no to all the Masala "hindi" movie lovers. A man next to me stand up to clap in the end though there are mixed reactions to the movie (from my conversation with few of them). But I loved the movie as a whole and the last scene makes it pretty worthy.
Background score well flows with the theme and the title song is heart touching with Prashant as a singer himself.
A good movie/documentary always makes you happy after you get out of the cinema hall and there you could get the whole review in a single word. "Nice work" was the word most people used while coming out of the theater. I was scintillated at many times during the whole length of the documentary and I got a sense of calling it a movie while leaving the cinema as it has got all that what it takes to be a full feature movie. It has a strong content, touchy emotions, ups and downs , funny moments with a nice flow. Though I don't know if some scenes were dramatized in it, its pretty worthy that adds nice aroma to the strong content of the documentary. The documentary was already acclaimed in different film festivals including KIMFF, which made it to Cinemas in capital ( QFX and F-cube ).
"Web reservation quota exceeded" alert from the QFX website and huge crowd for advance ticketing in QFX for the movie Chadke, makes it already a hit movie (as written in today's Kantipur). But when you hear the viewer's opinion inside the cinema hall, then there is a different story to tell than the business that the movie does.
Chadke hyped as a story of Gangster crime based in Chitwan, has more to offer to the awaited viewers and the "bonus" (as told by one of the producer of the movie) makes people disappointed. It's not obvious that you always feel good for getting more, as in the movie the unexpected part in the later half, makes people discontent, which comes as a surprise to some and boredom to many.
First half of the movie goes pretty well in a dynamic way and the plot builds up really well, making people expect more of the climax but the second half is bit confusing, and gets an u-turn of the main plot.Chewang- the head of Royal Gang played by Robin Tamang (Robin and the new revolution) in a short role adds good weight to the movie and has played a good debut with his own style. Namrata Shrestha with her gangster looks as "Sholi" is another attraction of the movie and has kept the faith for her fan. All artists like Dayahang Rai, Arpan Thapa, Sunil Pokharel, Nikun Shrestha (DJ Phucchey), Bipin Karki have played so well, that there are no flaws from the acting side.
Saugat Malla in a completely different look is the major surprise or disappointment to many not because of his acting but due to the sequences he has portrayed. Here is a picture of him in one of the shots.
And one more thing I have found is the unbalance between the characters for the span of time they are in the frame and it's a mess if you have lots of major characters played by senior artists.
But apart from the twist and the unbalance, the movie is made well with nice cinematography, melodious music (played with traditional instruments), and a good mix of different ethnic characters not to forget the funny character "Bindu"and his dialogues. Though there are no any dull moments, people are not satisfied with the plot and the script but if you see a movie as a plain entertainment, then the movie does not fall short. And to me, the movie should have stayed with single theme, and that of Gangsters theme rather than confusing people with it .... just my thought!!!
As I am too much aware in writing this review for not revealing any major plot, I stop here to save myself from being accused of spoiling the movie. Do watch yourself to promote new Nepali movies and write comment if you agree or disagree with me.
