‘Lalibazar’ is a Story of Mother and Daughter: Writer and Director Yam Thapa

The film ‘Lalibazar,’ produced by Shatkon Arts, is scheduled for release on the upcoming 18th of Baisakh. Shatkon Arts, which includes producer Max Dipesh Khatri, actor Rabindra Singh Baniya, and director Pradip Bhattarai, has already produced successful films like ‘Jatra,’ ‘Jatrai Jatra,’ ‘Mahapurush,’ and ‘Mahajatra.’ However, for the upcoming film ‘Lalibazar,’ director Pradip Bhattarai has handed over the directing responsibilities to Yam Thapa.

The story of ‘Lalibazar’ is also written by him. Director Thapa has previously directed subject-oriented films like ‘Rajja Rani,’ ‘Hurray,’ and ‘Meri Mamu,’ and has worked on the screenplays of films such as ‘Kohinoor,’ ‘Anjila,’ and ‘Paran.’ The collaboration with Shatkon Arts began during a discussion about the story.

“Shatkon Arts was preparing to make a film on a subject related to the Terai, and we met to discuss it during that process. During the discussion, Rabindra Singh Baniya said they would invest if they found a good story. I presented the subject of a mother that I had, and within a few days, we became confident that we could work on it. That is how Lalibazar started,” said director Thapa.

Although he provided the story, he had not initially planned on directing the film. Pradip Bhattarai had been directing the films for Shatkon Arts. Director Thapa was happy to hand over his story to a good director. However, director Bhattarai himself proposed that director Thapa should direct it.

“I gave the story, and the screenplay was also discussed. I thought director Bhattarai would be the one directing it, but Shatkon Arts offered the direction to me. None of them even discussed who would direct; everyone worked hard to make the film good,” Thapa said.

After the screenplay was almost finalized, director Bhattarai proposed the name ‘Lalibazar’ during a visit to the filming location, and everyone agreed. Although director Thapa did not disclose the entire plot, he mentioned that the film is prepared as a story of a mother and daughter.

“I have given a cinematic form to a story I have been seeing and understanding for a long time. This is a story of a mother and daughter who belong to a community. The film portrays a facet of our society. I am confident that this film will compel us to think about social issues,” said director Thapa. The film's first released song ‘Mayalai Ke Diu Ma Baina’ and the second song ‘Mitho Sansar’ have been liked by the audience. Both songs have become popular on YouTube as well as on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

The release date for the film ‘Lalibazar’ has been set for the upcoming year, B.S. 2083, Baisakh 18. Filmed in Rajapur, Bardiya, the movie features performances by 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 Kathayat, Nishchal Panthi, Birbal Chaudhary, and others.

Bishal Devkota and Prasansha Subedi are making their debuts through this film. Bishal is an artist working as an actor and director in theater, while Prasansha is popular as a Gen-Z actress. The screenplay and dialogues of the film ‘Lalibazar,’ prepared based on the story and direction of Yam Thapa, were jointly written 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, Sushan Prajapati as director of photography, Mitradev Gurung as editor, Rupak Pratap Adhikari as production head, Renish Phago as colorist, Samir Shrestha and Satyam Rana for VFX, Rohit Shakya and Shailesh Shrestha for background music and mixing, Umesh Chaudhary as art director, Royal Bhimsen (Trident) as publicity designer, Janaki Kadayat as costume designer and stylist, Kabya Thapa for makeup, and music by Prakash Saput, Khem Century, and Jayan J Wyba.