Line Production in Nepal | The Nepali film industry has lights, camera, action—but no substance

During the premiere of the Nepali feature film "Machha Machha" at Lalit Cinemas in Labim Mall last December, only four attendees, including myself, a young couple, and potentially a critic, showed up. Directed by the relatively unknown Sunil Gurung and starring Saugat Malla, a prominent figure in contemporary Nepali cinema, the film aimed for success akin to movies like "Loot" and "Jatra," generating hype with an item song featuring former Miss Nepal Shristi Shrestha and a humorous trailer.

Line Production in Nepal

Despite the buildup, the opening was disappointing, with scathing criticism from Abhimanyu Dixit, a film critic for The Post, labeling it "misogynistic" and "racist." This mirrored the broader trend in the Nepali film industry's struggle to create commercially successful and critically acclaimed works. Director Yadav Kharel highlighted the industry's neglect of crucial elements like a compelling script and memorable characters.

Out of around a hundred films released the prior year, only about a quarter managed to cover production costs, according to distributor Govinda Shahi. Unreliable box office figures compound the financial struggle, with many films unable to recover even promotional costs.

The Nepali film industry, originating in 1964, surged post-multi-party democracy in 1990. However, this hasn't led to widespread success, with most films failing to break even. Bhaskar Dhungana from QFX Cinemas emphasized that a major chunk of revenue comes from a few successful releases, signaling a loss of audience faith.

Academic Manoj Babu Pant highlighted the industry's obsession with replicating commercial hits over fostering creativity, leading to audiences favoring home entertainment. Criticism often targets directors, but director Naresh Kumar KC argued that producers also bear responsibility, stressing the scarcity of capable producers within the industry.

Source : https://kathmandupost.com/movie-review/2020/02/07/the-nepali-film-industry-has-lights-camera-action-but-no-substance