Artists Say 'Roll No. 1' is a Movie Parents Must Watch

Kathmandu. A special screening of the movie 'Roll No. 1', which has been screening in theaters across the country since last Friday, was organized in the capital.

The film gathered better-than-expected responses from Nepali silver screen stalwarts, comedians, and politicians who attended the special screening organized by the production team on Monday.

Participants at the special screening wholeheartedly praised the film's subject matter and presentation, stating that 'Roll No. 1' is a movie that parents need to watch even more than students.

The screening of the film, produced under the banner of Seven Seas Cinema, was attended by director Tulsi Ghimire, actors Jitu Nepal, Kamalamani Nepal, Marichman Shrestha 'Balchhi Dhurbe', actresses Anjana Baraili, Neeta Dhungana, Sanchita Luitel, Garima Sharma, Panchami Ghimire, Luniva Tuladhar, Sarita Giri, director of the comedy reality show 'Comedy Champion' Bishal Bhandari, comedians Bharatmani Poudel, Mexam Gaudel, actor Harihar Adhikari, former minister and National Assembly member Sunil Bahadur Thapa, and N-PABSAN General Secretary RB Katuwal, among others.

Coming out after watching the film, comedian Jitu Nepal praised its dialogues and message. He said, "We have always limited children only to classroom numbers. But this film makes it clear that the number inside the room does not determine the number of life. The film has very relevantly raised today's need to connect education with skills."

Similarly, another popular artist, Marichman Shrestha 'Balchhi Dhurbe', compared the film to a 'book'. He said, "Rather than a movie, this felt like a book that needs to be read. Especially the education in remote areas and a father's struggle for his son's future touched my heart."

Artist Luniva Tuladhar, who arrived to watch the film, stated that 'Roll No. 1' is a movie every parent must watch.

"After watching this movie, I felt that while 'Roll No. 1' students must watch it, it is a cinema that parents especially need to see," Luniva said. "Every parent needs to watch this movie. To know what their children's interest is, what they want to do, and what type of education or activity keeps them engaged, every parent must watch this movie."

Actress Sanchita Luitel described the film's writing and presentation as 'heart-touching', saying it effectively delivers the message that 'skill' is greater than bookish knowledge.

She said, "The writing and presentation of the film are very good. It does not limit education to mere bookish knowledge but connects it with 'skill'. Today's generation of children and their parents can learn a lot by watching this film once. The film's dialogues and emotions are very touching."

Actor Harihar Adhikari called the film 'beautiful', saying that while watching it, he remembered his own school life and the fear of exams. He said, "The film is very good and 'beautiful'. Especially the story of the father-son relationship, studies, and struggle touched me deeply. Watching the film reminded me of my own school life. The fear during exam times and the stories of my father's struggle have been portrayed very vividly in it."

Actress Neeta Dhungana shared that she became very emotional while watching the film and that it realistically depicts the academic pressure imposed on children. "The subject matter of the film is very strong. The film has well-shown the psychology of children and the academic pressure thrust upon them. One becomes very emotional while watching the film," actress Neeta said.

The participants of the special screening spoke in one voice that life cannot be run by bookish knowledge alone, and recognizing skills and interests is real education. They defined this film as an important medium for spreading educational awareness.

Everyone described the acting of the film's lead actors, Mukunda Pokhrel and Renu Nath Yogi, as 'lifelike'. In particular, the work of the child artist, who played the role of a child squeezed between a mother-son relationship and a father's dream, received widespread praise.

Celebrities coming out after watching the film gave a unanimous reaction: If you want to understand your children's psychology and see the reality of our education system, you must watch 'Roll No. 1' once.

Artists who arrived at the special screening said that 'Roll No. 1' gives the message that skill is a bigger thing than just bookish knowledge.

They concluded that it is a must-watch movie for parents and teachers who pressure their children by constantly saying 'study, study'.

They emphasized that parents must watch it because the cinema inspires them to identify what their child's interest is early on and educate them accordingly, as a child succeeds only in what they are interested in.

The emphasis is on moving forward by understanding the child and identifying their interest rather than putting pressure on them. Artists and audiences stressed that this cinema is a must-watch as it delivers the message that skills, rather than theoretical knowledge, sustain life.

Directed by John Yonzon, the film stars Mukun Bhusal, Sushank Mainali, Renu Nath Yogi, Ewan Raj Upreti, and Sirjana Adhikari in lead roles. The film's child artists include Nirbhik Regmi, Rinchen Lama, Samyam Katuwal, and Sejal Shrestha.

Produced by Binod Poudel and Janvi Poudel, the co-producers of the film are Chhatramaya Giri and Ramesh Chaulagain. 'Roll No. 1' is written by Mahesh Dawadi. The DOP of this cinema is Shivaram Shrestha. The film is currently screening in various theaters across the country.