'Lalibazaar' Enters Third Week, Earns 5.25 Crore in Two Weeks

The movie 'Lalibazaar', which released on May 8 (Baisakh 25), has entered its third week today. Shatkon Arts, the production company, stated that the film entering its third week has already made a gross collection of 5 crore 25 lakh rupees. According to the company's CEO, Max Dipesh Khatri, the film achieved this gross collection by 11:59 PM on May 21 (Jeth 7).

"The love the film is receiving across Nepal is priceless to us. Through the story of a mother and daughter, the film depicted the importance of education, and the general audience understood it well. Right now, children living abroad are sending their parents to watch the film, and daughters living within the country are bringing their mothers to the theaters. The audience members who came trusting us are returning satisfied, and that is our biggest success," said CEO Khatri, who is also a producer.

He informed that compared to the first week of screening, 10 percent more viewers watched the movie in the second week. Actress Swastima Khadka, who returned after meeting audiences in major cities across Nepal, said that the love from viewers is consistent nationwide.

"This film has been liked by all audiences, whether in the East or the West, and it has received similar support. We are grateful for the love given by the audience across Nepal. The perspective with which the film has been accepted nationwide is our success. Now, this weekend, we will meet the audience of Kathmandu Valley and take their feedback," actress Khadka said.

Audiences across Nepal have openly praised the subject matter, directorial aspect, and the lifelike acting of the artists. Most of those coming out after watching the film commented that their eyes welled up and they connected with the mother's struggle. The 'word of mouth' being given by the audience has increased expectations that the upcoming weekend will be pleasant for the film.

Schools Have Started Showing the Film

Lately, schools have started showing 'Lalibazaar' to their students. Schools have begun bringing students to theaters in Kathmandu as well as some halls in the outskirts (mofussil). Schools started screening the film, stating that the message given by the movie depicts the importance of education. 

The film, based on the story of a mother and daughter, inspires people to raise their voices against the exploitation and evil practices carried out by rulers after becoming educated. For this reason, as it reflects the importance of education, schools have started showing the film by bringing students. This trend has increased in Kathmandu as well as in the outskirts.

On Thursday alone, around 600 students watched the film at Cine Royal in Nepalgunj. After students arrived for shows throughout the day, the film's debut artists Bishal Devkota, Prasansha Subedi, and Samaira Thapa arrived to meet them. Local exhibitors stated that students from some schools will watch the film today, Friday, as well.

Swastima's Stardom Clarified

Swastima Khadka is the actual hero of 'Lalibazaar'. The role she performed is currently being discussed everywhere. Whether it is her dance in the film's song or her acting, it is being talked about now. Lately, makers in the film industry itself have started discussing the hard work she did for the film's promotion. 

This is perhaps the first time a film with an actress as the protagonist has completed a gross collection of five crore rupees in two weeks of screening. The number of shows the film has received while entering its third week indicates that the upcoming weekend will also be pleasant for the film.

Along with Swastima's acting, discussions about her stardom have also increased through this film. This is because the film, in which she plays the lead role, revolves around her character. Usually, an actress's role in movies is limited to revolving around the hero and romancing, but in this, Swastima has been presented as a 'lady hero'. The film is centered on her. The film is focused on the ups and downs of the life of 'Madhubala', the character she portrayed in the movie.

Audience Confident in Shatkon Arts

Shatkon Arts, which has successfully won the hearts of the audience with blockbuster movies like 'Talakjung Versus Tulke', 'Jatra', 'Jatrai Jatra', 'Mahapurush', and 'Mahajatra', tried to tell a new story with a new team this time, and has succeeded in it. Audiences have trusted them even when they put their hit franchise 'Jatra' on hold to produce a film carrying a social responsibility.

Audiences are coming to the theaters with their families to watch the film. The audience members enter the theater with confidence, and upon leaving, they sound satisfied, commenting that their time and money were well utilized. Those who came alone to watch the film have returned to the hall with their children or parents. 

Shatkon Arts has been making films on social and family subjects. Even though the subjects of the films under this banner are serious, the presentation is simple, and all generations of the same family can watch the film together. For this reason, families are often found turning into audiences to watch the film in theaters.

Trailer is Continuously Trending

The trailer of the movie 'Lalibazaar' is at number 1 on YouTube's movie chart. This indicates that the audience's interest in the film is increasing and that it will do even better business in the coming days. Even though it has been a month since the trailer was released, its trailer is at number 1 with 2.2 million views.

The film stars Swastima Khadka, Rabindra Singh Baniya, Samaira Thapa, Mukunda Kumar Shrestha, Abhay Baral, Prem Pandey, Asha Poudel, Govinda Sunar, Abha Aryal, Tara Sharma, Ramesh Wadi, Saraswoti Adhikari, Janaki Kathayat, Nischal Panthi, Birbal Chaudhary, Kuntal, among others. 

Bishal Devkota and Prasansha Subedi are making their debut through this film. Bishal is an artist working in theater, while Prasansha is popular as a Gen-Z actress. Prepared under the story and direction of director Yam Thapa, the screenplay and dialogues of 'Lalibazaar' were jointly prepared by director Thapa and director Pradip Bhattarai.

Pradip Bhattarai is the executive producer of the film, while Max Dipesh Khatri and Rabindra Singh Baniya are the producers. 

The film features JB Ruwali as creative director, Samrat Basnet as conflict director, Susan Prajapati as director of photography, Mitradev Gurung as editor, Rupak Pratap Adhikari as production head, Renish Phago as colorist, Samir Shrestha and Satyam Rana as VFX artists, Rohit Shakya and Shailesh Shrestha for background music and mixing, Umesh Choudhary as art director, Royal Bhimsen (Trident) as publicity designer, Janaki Kadayat as costume designer and stylist, Kavya Thapa for makeup, and music by Prakash Saput, Khem Century, and Jayan J Waiba.