Shatkon Arts Selling International Distribution Rights After Completion of ‘Lalibazar’

All technical work for the upcoming Nepali film ‘Lalibazar’, scheduled for release on May 1st (Baisakh 18), has been completed. Following the completion of the film, the production company Shatkon Arts has announced the sale of its international distribution rights. Although proposals for overseas rights had been coming in due to the popularity of the song ‘Mayalai Ke Diu Ma Baina’, the production team chose to sell the rights only after the film was technically ready.

Shatkon Arts has established itself as a production company that earns the trust of audiences and ensures profits for diaspora distributors. Because their films consistently perform well abroad without causing losses to distributors, various proposals for ‘Lalibazar’ are currently being received.

According to the production company, the film was ready for screening three weeks ago. It was stated that international rights are being sold only after full completion to avoid the hassles distributors often face when technical work is in its final stages.

Producer Max Dipesh Khatri mentioned that preparations are underway to move forward with distribution agreements targeting overseas screenings. He stated that the production team will discuss the received proposals before selling the rights.

"We completed the film first because we are aware of the difficulties international distributors face when a film is not ready. Therefore, even though we had proposals, we told them we would talk only after finishing the film. Now that we have signed agreements, we can hand over the film. We plan to sell all screening rights by the first week of Baisakh," Khatri said.

He noted that the popularity of the song ‘Mayalai Ke Diu Ma Baina’ triggered the influx of overseas purchase offers. Released on Falgun 29, the song has garnered over 11.5 million views on YouTube in less than a month, with thousands of videos created on TikTok.

Writer and director Yam Thapa stated that the film brings a story to the audience that has not been seen before in Nepali cinema. He said, "We have prepared Lalibazar keeping in mind both entertainment and social responsibility. It will be special for Nepali viewers."

The release date for ‘Lalibazar’ is set for May 1, 2026 (Baisakh 18, 2083 BS). Filmed in Rajapur, Bardiya, the movie stars Swastima Khadka, Rabindra Singh Baniya, Samaira Thapa, Mukunda Kumar Shrestha, Abhay Baral, Prem Pandey, Asha Paudel, Govinda Sunar, Abha Aryal, Tara Sharma, Ramesh Wadi, Saraswati Adhikari, Janaki Kathayat, Nischal Panthi, Birbal Chaudhary, and others. Bishal Devkota and Prasansha Subedi are making their debuts with this film.

Bishal is an actor and director active in theater, while Prasansha is popular as a Gen Z actor. The screenplay and dialogues for the film, directed and written by Yam Thapa, were co-written by Thapa and director Pradeep Bhattarai.

Pradeep Bhattarai serves as the executive producer, while Max Dipesh Khatri and Rabindra Singh Baniya are the producers.

The film's 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), costume designer and stylist Janaki Kadayat, makeup by Kabya Thapa, and music by Prakash Saput, Khem Century, and Jayan J Waiba.