Sagar Lamsal (Bale) Expelled from ‘Paanch Pandav’

Kathmandu. Actor Sagar Lamsal, popularly known as ‘Bale,’ has been expelled from the movie ‘Paanch Pandav’ after a young woman currently studying in the United States accused him of rape through social media.

The production company, Kalirani Films Pvt. Ltd., issued a press release on Tuesday (Chaitra 20) announcing the decision to remove Lamsal from the film on moral grounds. The company also stated that another actor would be cast in his place and his scenes would be re-shot.

According to the statement, the filming of the movie had been ongoing in and around Jhapa since Chaitra 2. The controversy came to light after nearly 90 percent of Sagar Lamsal’s scenes had already been filmed. The production team clarified that no scenes involving Lamsal will be included in the movie and all those scenes will be shot again.

According to the film's presenter, Nabin Shrestha, removing an actor after 90 percent of their work is completed will result in a significant financial loss for the film. However, the company maintains that this financial loss is minor compared to the pain of the victim.

The statement reads, "Anyone accused of a heinous crime cannot be a member of our film. Considering the risk that providing a platform to the accused might influence the judicial process in a film based on a holy name and theme like Pandav, which aims to contribute to nation-building, the agreement with Sagar Lamsal has been cancelled effective today."

The production side has strongly demanded a thorough investigation into the facts of the incident and stated that the victim must receive justice as soon as possible. Presenter Shrestha remarked that while the accused Lamsal may pursue his own legal path, it is not appropriate to keep him in the film as he has become ethically controversial.

Directed by Basanta Niraula, the film stars prominent actors including Hari Bansha Acharya, Jitu Nepal, Aryan Sigdel, Deepashree Niraula, and Mahesh Tripathi. The production team has not yet revealed which actor will be signed to replace Lamsal.