SATV, Kathmandu, Sept. 03 - As Nepali films have started doing good business in Nepalgunj, the attention of actors, producers and directors has increasingly turned towards western Nepal.

Film production teams are now visiting Nepalgunj and other cities in western Nepal to promote their films and interact directly with audiences before and after their release.

There are currently two cinema halls operating in Nepalgunj. Cinema hall operators said that the city is gradually becoming an important film market in western Nepal as Nepali films have recently performed well at the box office. 

According to them, Nepali films are receiving strong support from audiences and are even competing successfully with Hindi films.

The grand premiere of the Nepali film ‘Baa: Ek Yoddha,’ which is scheduled for release on September 4, was also held in Nepalgunj instead of Kathmandu this time.

The film’s director and musician, Hari Lamsal, said Nepalgunj was chosen for the premiere because of the love and support that audiences in western Nepal have shown towards Nepali films.

He said it was especially meaningful to hold the first premiere of his directorial debut in Nepalgunj, a city known for its love of Nepali cinema.

At the premiere held at Cine Royal in Nepalgunj, lead actor Dibya Dev Pant said watching the film for the first time alongside the audience was a different experience. He said he was able to personally experience the love that Nepalgunj audiences have for Nepali films.

“It is a matter of happiness and pride to premiere a film that we imagined and created for such loving audiences,” he said.

He added that it was important to organise film premieres and audience interaction programmes outside Kathmandu as well. Such events, he said, help strengthen the relationship between artists and audiences.

Actress Suhana Thapa, who travelled to Nepalgunj to attend the premiere, also said she felt happy and proud to watch the film with the audience for the first time.

Ritesh Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cine Royal, said the business of Nepali films in Nepalgunj had increased significantly in recent years.

According to him, films including Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi have performed very well at the box office. Recent Nepali films have also been competing strongly with Hindi films and attracting large audiences.

“Since Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi, the business of Nepali films has been extremely good. Recent films have even entered the crore club,” he said.

According to him, some Nepali films currently being released in Nepalgunj have successfully attracted audiences for a long period. 

As Nepali film activities are no longer limited to Kathmandu and are expanding to cities in western Nepal, local audiences are getting opportunities to meet actors and film production teams directly. This has not only helped promote films but has also increased local audiences’ interest in Nepali cinema.