Saugat Malla: Audiences will see their own story in ‘Bam Bahadur’

KATHMANDU: A press conference was held in Itahari, Eastern Nepal, to mark the upcoming release of the movie Bam Bahadur, which will simultaneously debut in Nepal and India on Dec 20.

The event, held on Sunday, was attended by the film’s cast, director, producer, and journalists from Eastern Nepal as well as from Darjeeling and Siliguri. The attendees shared their experiences and insights about the movie.

Lead actor Saugat Malla shared that he felt a personal connection to the film’s story and expressed confidence that it would resonate with audiences.

Bam Bahadur is set against the backdrop of the 1986 Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling and portrays the challenges and struggles of the Nepali community in India, particularly in Darjeeling, the surrounding hills, and the Duars region.

Writer and director John Rai explained that the film’s purpose is to ensure history is not forgotten, stating, “Another goal is to ensure such movements don’t repeat. We aim for a society that is educated and one where movements are led by intellect, not by swords and guns.”

Actor Saugat Malla further emphasized his emotional connection to the character, saying, “When I read the script, I felt like the story was my own. I was emotional and immediately decided to take on the role. I believe audiences in Nepal will feel the same connection.”

Malla also shared his appreciation for the filming locations, saying, “The respect we received during the shoot made these places dear to me. I’m confident this film will win the hearts of everyone, and my character is unique—I’ve never played such a role before.”

Lead actress Anisha Rasaili highlighted the film’s universal theme, stating, “This movie portrays a story that belongs to all of us. Coming from Sikkim, I didn’t know much about the struggles faced by people in the past, but hearing their stories during the shoot was chilling. I urge everyone to watch this film and feel that pain—we are all the same.”

Actress Shantila Tamang expressed high hopes for the film, saying, “When Nepal suffers, we feel it too. The story we’ve told will surely touch the hearts of all Nepalis.”