‘Gunyucholo: The Dress’ Trailer Highlights the Struggles of Identity and Acceptance

Kathmandu — The trailer of the much-anticipated Nepali film ‘Gunyucholo: The Dress’ has been officially released, offering a powerful glimpse into the emotional journey of a transgender woman and her fight for identity and self-acceptance.

Directed by Samundra Bhatt, the film centers on the internal and external conflicts faced by a transgender character, portrayed by popular actor Najir Husen. The trailer reveals the tension between a son trying to express his true gender identity and a father determined to suppress it. It depicts how a young boy, fond of wearing feminine clothes since childhood, is forced into a masculine military path, and how he ultimately breaks free to embrace his real self.

As the protagonist makes the difficult decision to leave home, the trailer showcases the emotional backlash from family, neighbors, relatives, and friends. It also captures the societal pressure and emotional turmoil that accompany such a decision.

‘Gunyucholo: The Dress’ is set to release on Bhadra 13 (August 29, 2025) and is regarded as Nepal’s first full-fledged feature film centered on a transgender narrative. The film features a strong cast including Sanchita Luitel, Sushil Sitoula, Rajkumar Ghosh, Shishir Rana, Anupam Shrestha, and Bishal Pahari, alongside lead actor Najir Husen.

The film has garnered international attention, with U.S.-based Buffalo 8 acquiring its global distribution rights. Notably, the film’s post-production — including editing, color grading, sound design, and background music — was completed abroad in a Hollywood-standard setup. Acclaimed Hollywood artist Lisa Gerrard, known for her work in Gladiator 2, has lent her voice to the soundtrack, while the entire background score is composed by Marcello De Francisci.

‘Gunyucholo: The Dress’ is a collaborative production between a Nepali film production house and a Hollywood studio. The film is produced by Aakash Budhathoki and V-Bhanse Janubon, with Jeffrey J. Wein and Steve Johnston serving as executive producers. Anupam Shrestha is the associate producer. Cinematography is by Alok Shukla, and the film features lyrics penned by Lekhu Sahayatri.

The film was also selected for screening at the prestigious Tasher Film Market in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for Nepali cinema in global storytelling.