Three Nepali films set for Dashain release
Festive season to see the release of Hari Bahadurko Jutta, Maitighar, and Balidan on Phulpati day, with high expectations for strong box office returns.
KATHMANDU: Three major Nepali films are scheduled to hit theaters this Dashain festival. Hari Bahadurko Jutta, Maitighar, and Balidan will premiere on Phulpati day (Sept 29) simultaneously in Nepal and abroad, targeting the festive holiday audience.
Maitighar, directed by Milan Tamang, is a social drama rooted in Tamang culture.
The film features popular actors including Kedar Ghimire, Upasana Singh Thakuri, Dhiraj Magar, and Prakash Saput.
Another highly anticipated release, Hari Bahadurko Jutta, centers on veteran comedian Hari Bansha Acharya. The film revives his iconic character “Hari Bahadur,” previously popular in television and stage productions. “This time, Hari Bahadur not only entertains but also evokes emotions. Through satire, he reflects social ills and even the nation’s condition,” Acharya shared. Written by Acharya himself and directed by Dipendra Kumar Khanal, the film also stars Swastima Khadka, Prakash Saput, Priyanka Karki, Harihar Sharma, Divya Dev, Kiran KC, and Rajaram Poudel.
Directed by producer Santosh Sen, Balidan is an action drama inspired by South Indian cinema, with actor Samir Bhatta in the lead role. This is Bhatta’s second feature film. Co-starring Richa Sharma and Arpan Thapa, the movie emphasizes high-octane presentation with a conflict-driven storyline.
In recent years, Nepali films released during major festivals have enjoyed strong audience turnout, especially family and socially themed stories.
According to former Film Association President Pradeep Kumar Uday, Dashain releases have become a trend as holiday audiences boost box office prospects. “If the story fails, even holidays can’t save a film. But when audiences connect, festive releases perform far better than regular times,” he explained.
Although some single-screen theaters initially struggle to manage multiple shows alongside multiplexes, schedules are later adjusted based on demand.
Last year, three Dashain releases collectively grossed nearly Rs 400 million, fueling optimism among filmmakers this season as well.
