What’s Rekha Thapa up to with three former Miss Nepals?

KATHMANDU: Nepalese cinema is set to witness an exciting new project as acclaimed actress and director Rekha Thapa announces her latest film, Maya Bhane Yesto Hola.

The formal launch of the movie took place in the capital on Sunday, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

After nearly eight years away from direction, Rekha Thapa returns not under her own banner, Rekha Films, but with the production house Diya and Amu Films.

This marks a historic moment in Nepali cinema, as it is possibly the first time an established female director is helming a film under an external production banner.

Rekha’s previous directorial works, Himmatwali and Malika, established her as a bold voice in Nepali cinema.

Her third directorial venture promises to be equally compelling, featuring a mix of veteran and contemporary artists.

The film’s ensemble cast includes senior actors Madan Krishna Shrestha and Dil Shrestha, alongside former Miss Nepal titleholders Srishti Shrestha, Namrata Shrestha, and former Miss Nepal International Niti Shah in key roles.

The production team released two first-look posters alongside the announcement.

The first poster showcases Dil Shrestha with the three actresses dressed in vibrant red lehengas and saris.

The imagery hints at various facets of love, possibly a love triangle, with intimate dynamics between Dil Shrestha and Namrata Shrestha, while Srishti Shrestha and Niti Shah display more serious expressions. The use of red symbolizes love, marriage, and deep relationships, suggesting the film will explore complex emotional narratives.

The second poster features Dil Shrestha emotionally holding the hand of an elderly Madan Krishna Shrestha, seated in a wheelchair. The image reflects themes of familial duty, intergenerational bonds, and care for the elderly.

The title, Maya Bhane Yesto Hola, emphasizes the exploration of love across generations—both youthful romance and devotion to family. Alongside the main cast, the film will also feature Laxmi Giri, Rajarama Paudel, Vishal Pahari, Sangam Bhandari, Sujata Shrestha, and Binod Paudel.

Producers Hari Narayan Shrestha and Maya Devi Shrestha aim to highlight social emotions through the lens of a love story.

The cinematography will be led by Sudip Baral, with Aniruddha Atreya as chief assistant director, Rajan Ghimire as film coordinator, Prashant Siwakoti handling music, Sujeni Malla as costume designer, Priya Karki for makeup, and Suman Tiwari as production manager.

Filming is scheduled to begin in the second week of February, with the team targeting a release during the upcoming Teej festival next year.

Speaking at the press conference, Rekha Thapa revealed that the story is inspired by real-life experiences of herself and people in Nepali society. She said, “This film reflects events from your life, my life, and society at large. As a director, I’ve presented it as the story of the people.”

On the lead actor Dil Shrestha, Rekha praised his talent, stating, “He is capable and delivers excellent performances. Had he continued consistently in films, he would already be well-established.”

Clarifying the casting of the three former Miss Nepal winners, Rekha added, “They were chosen not for their titles but because they fit the story’s narrative perfectly.”

Veteran actor Madan Krishna Shrestha expressed his excitement, saying, “Working under Rekha Thapa’s direction feels like entering a whole new world. I’m confident this film will showcase my serious roles alongside my comedic strengths.”

Actress Srishti Shrestha described working with legendary actors as another form of love, while Namrata Shrestha called Rekha a “legendary personality” and expressed excitement for the film’s workshop, which promises to shape the project into an outstanding cinematic experience.

Writer Dhurva Lamsal, returning to scriptwriting after ten years, confirmed the screenplay has been crafted meticulously. With a touch of humor, he said, “After watching this film, my friends won’t criticize me—they’ll appreciate the effort.”