Families Flock to See ‘Laalibazaar,’ Swastima Meets Audience

The film ‘Laalibazaar,’ which premiered across Nepal on Baisakh 25, has been receiving strong support from the audience. Since its release, the film's team—including actress Swastima Khadka, actor Rabindra Singh Baniya, debut actor Bishal Devkota, debut actress Prashansha Subedi, director Yam Thapa, executive producer and screenwriter Pradip Bhattarai, and Max Dipesh Khatri—has been visiting various theaters in the Kathmandu Valley to interact with viewers.

Families arriving at the theaters have been seen leaving in tears as the film concludes. Audiences have commented that the movie highlights the importance of mothers and increases one’s sense of responsibility toward daughters. Many expressed that they could not hold back tears while watching the story of a single mother’s struggle to educate her daughter. Viewers exiting the halls in tears have been thanking the cast and crew who arrived to gather feedback.

Following the momentum of Friday and Saturday, the artists continued their theater visits on Sunday. Actress Swastima Khadka stated she is encouraged by the public response.

"Audiences have clearly understood the subject matter we presented through the film," she said. "It’s not just women; male viewers have also been moved to tears. Those who have seen it say this isn't just a story for a specific community or class, but a story for all mothers and daughters. I am excited to see entire families in the audience."

Alongside Khadka, debut actor Bishal Devkota received praise for his "excellent acting." Audience members called out to him in the theaters using his character's name, ‘Narayan.’ Bishal shared that he is overjoyed by the love received for his debut film.

"I cannot express the feedback from my first project in words. I tried to make my character as lifelike as possible, and the current response feels like the fruit of that hard work. Visiting the halls and meeting the audience right now is an experience beyond words," he said.

Debut actress Prashansha Subedi noted that viewers from all walks of life are showing love for the film. Known as a Gen-Z activist and content creator, Prashansha plays the role of Swastima's daughter.

"I’ve seen many viewers of my own age in the halls, and families are coming together. The love and feedback I’ve received from the audience and the film industry for my first movie have given me great encouragement," she added.

Director and writer Yam Thapa remarked that any prior speculations about the film are cleared once people watch it. He emphasized that the movie is a comfortable watch for the whole family. The cast includes Swastima Khadka, Rabindra Singh Baniya, Samaira Thapa, Mukunda Kumar Shrestha, Abhay Baral, Prem Pandey, Pradip Dhakal, Asha Paudel, Govinda Sunar, Abha Aryal, Tara Sharma, Ramesh Wadi, Saraswati Adhikari, Janaki Kadayat, Nischal Panthi, and Birbal Chaudhary.

The film marks the debut of Bishal Devkota, a theater actor and director, and Prashansha Subedi. Directed and written by Yam Thapa, the screenplay and dialogues were co-written by Thapa and Pradip Bhattarai. Pradip Bhattarai serves as the executive producer, while Max Dipesh Khatri and Rabindra Singh Baniya are the producers.

The technical team includes creative director JB Ruwali, conflict director Samrat Basnet, cinematographer Sushan Prajapati, editor Mitradev Gurung, production head Rupak Pratap Adhikari, colorist Renish Phago, VFX by Samir Shrestha and Satyam Rana, background music and mixing by Rohit Shakya and Shailesh Shrestha, art director Umesh Chaudhary, publicity designer Royal Bhimsen (Trident), media coordinator CP Jaisi, costume designer Janaki Kadayat, makeup artist Kabya Thapa, and music by Prakash Saput, Khem Century, and Jayan J. Waiba.