Nepali films’ commercial details made public

KATHMANDU: The Film Development Board has made public the commercial performance of Nepali films currently screening in cinema halls across the country.

According to data released today by the board’s Cinepa 2 Box Office, the figures cover box office collections recorded up to Magh 10, Saturday.

The latest statistics indicate that several Nepali films have failed to generate encouraging business at the domestic box office.

The film ‘Jhari Pachhiko Indreni’, which has been in theatres since Poush 4, has not performed as expected commercially.

Directed by comedian Arjun Ghimire ‘Paadey’, the film collected Rs 12.388 million by Magh 3, selling a total of 3,217 tickets.

The film attempts to raise voices against corruption and irregularities. Its cast includes Ganesh Upreti, Ramesh Upreti, Prakash Ghimire, Deepashree Niraula, Sarita Giri, Deshbhakta Khanal, Nirmal Sharma, Krishna Shivakoti, Krishna Bhakta Maharjan, Bimochan Dawadi, Jessica Pokharel, Priyana Acharya (Munni), Anshu Maharjan, Rajendra Nepali, among others.

Another Nepali film, ‘Muglan’, which was released on Poush 10, has collected only Rs 631,000, with 2,400 tickets sold.

Directed by Ashish Dhakal, the film stars Prabhat Pal, Smarika Dhakal, Shree Shivanshu, Dinesh DC, Moti Subedi, and Ramchandra Adhikari. The film has recorded low earnings.

Similarly, ‘Eklo-I’, which has been in theatres since Poush 17, has also failed to perform well commercially. Directed by Pradeep Shahi, the film earned Rs 4.695 million, selling 14,255 tickets.

Despite featuring actors such as Pradeep Khadka, Dinesh DC, Bijay Lama, Benisha Hamal, and Kavita Nepali, the film could not attract audiences after receiving lukewarm reviews.

The biographical documentary ‘Dimag Ghochne Manche’, based on the life of late alternative politics advocate and activist Ujjwal Thapa, collected Rs 312,000 during the same period.

The documentary has been screening in limited theatres nationwide since Poush 25 and is produced by the Ujjwal Thapa Foundation.

Directed by Sudip Bhaju, the documentary highlights Thapa’s childhood, foreign education, return to Nepal, civic awareness campaigns, and contributions to alternative politics. The film conveys the message of how individual activism can bring meaningful social change.

The documentary was produced with public contributions amounting to up to Rs 500,000, but failed to achieve expected commercial success.

According to the board, three films released from Magh 1, targeting the Maghe Sankranti festival, also could not record encouraging box office numbers.

The film ‘Gobar Ganesh’, directed by Merichman Shrestha—popularly known as ‘Balchhi Dhurbe’—collected Rs 11.435 million, with 40,234 tickets sold.

The film features performances by Shrestha himself, Barsha Shiwakoti, Binod Neupane, Padam Tamang, Nirmal Sharma, Laxminath Timalsena, Santosh Baniya, Sandeep Lama, Mao Tse Gurung, Sita Devi Timilsina, Poojan Ghimire (Puku), Buddhi Tamang, Bishal Pahari, Ramesh Budhathoki, and Swastika Lamichhane.

Another Magh 1 release, ‘Mirmire’, earned Rs 3.372 million, selling 10,813 tickets. Directed by Yam Sherpa, the film revolves around a father-daughter relationship and a triangular love story. The cast includes Dayahang Rai, Prakash Saput, Srijana Ninglekhu, Mao Tse Gurung, Chhulthim Gurung, Bholaraj Sapkota, Bimal Yadav, Shaisa Gauchan, Divisha Pant, Chirag Shrestha, and Namanraj Gajurel.

Similarly, ‘Viral Gorkhey’, starring actor Saugat Malla, collected Rs 3.453 million during the same period, with 10,605 tickets sold.

Directed by Nigam Shrestha, the film focuses on society’s obsession with going ‘viral’ amid the growing dominance of social media.

Alongside Malla, the cast includes actress and former Miss Nepal Srishti Shrestha, Buddhi Tamang, Laxmi Giri, Rajaram Paudel, and journalist Rishi Dhamala.

The Film Development Board has been consistently publishing commercial performance data of both domestic and foreign films screened in Nepal over the past few months.