Exploring love & societal pressures: Behuli From Meghauli reflects the journey of modern women

KATHMANDU: The film “Behuli from Meghauli ” resonates with young women of marriageable age. Its teaser and trailer hint at the storyline, which revolves around a young woman reflecting on her life as friends from her school days become mothers, while she struggles with the absence of a boyfriend.

As a child, I was often reminded by my parents, “Don’t fall in love, daughter.” Following their advice, I maintained a wise facade. Whenever a boy teased me in class, I would confront them and then report back to my parents. I even advised my friends against having boyfriends.

I kept my distance from boys who were playful or flirtatious. If I found a boy attractive, it felt contrary to my moral values. Thus, I never dared to commit what I considered a sin.

Now, most of my friends are married and have children. In our society, unmarried women of a certain age face significant pressure. Fears stemming from this societal expectation allowed me to relate closely to Mina, a character in “Behulii From Meghauli.”

The film portrays the societal belief that daughters should be married at a young age, showcasing the struggles faced by brides from Meghauli, Chitwan.

The main characters in the film include Mina Nyaupane (played by Swastima Khadka), Neeraj (Nischal Basnet), Siddharth Koirala, and Gajendra (Amir Gautam). The story progresses through the dynamics of these characters, which are essential for the film’s narrative and entertainment value.

One scene features a stand by the roadside in Meghauli displaying the number 30, indicating that daughters should be married by age 30. If not, finding a suitable groom becomes challenging. Therefore, 29-year-old Mina must marry within the year.

Mina’s parents are relaxed about this, knowing she has been in a relationship with Neeraj for seven years. They don’t pressure her to marry, believing their daughter will eventually wed her boyfriend.

However, Neeraj returns from Australia, unexpectedly ending their relationship and indicating plans to marry another girl. After dreaming of marrying Neeraj for seven years, Mina’s hopes are shattered. Despite her efforts to rekindle their love, her family is determined to see her married.

At this point, two other characters, Siddharth and Gajendra, enter the narrative. Siddhartha, an engineer preparing for a civil service exam, takes Mina to the hospital after she has an accident. Mina’s parents consider Siddharth as a potential groom for her.

On the other hand, Gajendra, who recently left a rehabilitation center, is also prepared to marry Mina. Additionally, her father looks for potential grooms for Mina on “Bihe Bhayo Dot Com.”

The film illustrates a father’s struggle to find a groom for his daughter as societal pressures mount, showcasing the mental toll on a daughter facing family pressure to marry while dealing with heartbreak.

Will Mina marry? If so, who will she marry? Can she revive her relationship with Neeraj? These questions drive the plot, with Swastima Khadka and Nischal Basnet playing pivotal roles in “Behuli From Meghauli.”

The film advocates for marrying someone who loves and respects you, warning that relationships built on anything else may lead to heartbreak. It emphasizes the need for women to assert control over their own marriage timelines and promotes self-reliance over dependence on relationships with partners like Neeraj.

The film’s events successfully engage the audience from start to finish, a rare feat in recent Nepali films. It maintains a consistent comedic tone, ensuring the audience remains entertained throughout. However, the screenplay, while straightforward, could have benefited from a more refined touch.

Aside from this, the screenplay, acting, makeup, and overall setup appear commendable. However, Nischal Basnet’s portrayal and appearance may not align well with the character’s background, which could have been better addressed by the director.

Overall, the film is well-crafted, offering viewers a rewarding experience for their ticket prices. Since its release on the day of the festival of Dashain, “Behuli From Meghauli” is now showing in cinemas across the country.

The film is written and directed by Sajan Kafle and Akash Baral, featuring performances by Swastima Khadka, Nischal Basnet, Basundhara Bhusal, Vijay Baral, Simran Khadka, Raksha Thapa, Lokendra Lekhak, Siru Bist, Amir Gautam, and more.

-Tenzing Dolma Tamang