Artists take to streets after court halts ‘Lalibazar’ release (photos)
KATHMANDU: After the Patan High Court banned the screening of the movie ‘Lalibazar’, the actors and production team associated with the movie have taken to the streets.
A writ petition was filed on April 28 (Baisakh 15) by Roshi Badi Nepali at the High Court Patan, demanding a halt on the film’s screening.
Hearing the petition, a single bench of Justice Prakash Dhungana issued an interim order on Wednesday, directing that the film not be released until May 5 (Baisakh 22). The court has also instructed both parties to appear for further discussion on the same date.
Following the court’s decision, the scheduled release of “Lali Bazar” from May 1 (Baisakh 18) has been suspended. The film’s premiere show planned for April 28 at Civil Mall, Sundhara in Kathmandu was also postponed, according to the production team.
Earlier, the film had already received a ‘U’ (Universal) certificate from the Central Film Censorship Board, meaning it was approved for viewing by audiences of all age groups.
In protest of the court’s ruling, director Yam Thapa, producer Rabindra Singh Baniya, and actors including Swastima Khadka, Nischal Basnet, and Khagendra Lamichhane staged a demonstration in Maitighar on Wednesday, wearing black armbands.
Directed by Yam Thapa and produced under the banner of Shatkon Arts, “Lalibazar” is based on the struggles of women from the Badi community and had already been surrounded by controversy even before its release.
Photos:
-Saroj Basnet
