A breath of fresh air
- Manisha Neupane
in Kathmandu post
MAY 17 - The film fraternity in Nepal seems to be witnessing some much-needed positive developments, particularly in the last few years. Whether owing to the success of the critically-acclaimed Numafung or that of the technologically-ambitious Kagbeni, the face of Nepali films has been gradually transforming. While these changes have not been instantaneous, they are undeniable.
A case in point is the new film Pal, directed by Ramesh Budathoki. The film’s script has been penned by Karna Shakya, a well-known writer whose literary works include Soch and Khoj. Pal appears largely based on Shakya’s Soch. Similar to the book, Pal also tells the story through two contrasting perspectives, and characters in the film are presented in both positive and negative lights. There is a distinct sense of anxiety and scepticism woven into the first half of the film; only in the second half does it allow a more upbeat, retrospective look at events.
“The film deals with ordinary people, which is why we expect audiences to connect to it,†says Budathoki. “The story is based on the socio-economic and political happenings of the country, things people can relate to.†He adds that Pal essentially incorporates a positive message and revolves around the idea that there is always more than one way to look at a situation. Budathoki prefers to classify the film as belonging to the semi-art genre—neither does it embody the ‘masala’ factor of commercial films nor is it sluggish and overly-conceptual like many art films.
According to co-producer Uddhav Poudel, in the forty years that he has worked in the industry, Pal is by far his favourite project. “When I heard the concept of the story from Shakya, I was highly impressed. It is remarkable the way it captures various aspects of an ordinary life,†he says.
One of the main antagonists in the film, Anup Baral, says that despite a relatively short onscreen appearance, his character isn’t lacking in depth. “One can see the arrogance and hatred of a psychotic lover in my character. At the same time, audience will also encounter the positive attributes in him,†he says. Baral adds that Pal is a breath of fresh air both for him and the film industry. The film also stars actors Nisha Adhikari, Tripti Nadkar, Karishma Manandhar, Dhiren Shakya, Raj Ballav Koirala and Mahadev Tripathi.
For an industry that is often criticized for not involving intellectual figures and confining itself to mindless melodrama, Karna Shakya’s first foray into the screenwriting certainly offers a welcome respite. Although Shakya is not too sure about the commercial viability of the film, he believes it will have a critical impact. “This film is for today, tomorrow and forever. It will be a change for regular film audiences,†he says.
Pal premiered on Tuesday at Gopi Krishna Hall. Charity shows are being organised for the occasion by Jaycees and Rotary clubs, which will run for a month. The film will be screened in theatres starting July.
Posted on: 2011-05-18