Film Carrying the Social Reality and Struggle of the Badi Community: ‘Lalibazar’

‘Lalibazar’, a film produced by Shatkon Arts—the makers of successful films like ‘Talakjung vs Tulke’, ‘Jatra’, ‘Jatrai Jatra’, ‘Mahapurush’, and ‘Mahajatra’—is set to be released on May 1st (Baisakh 18). Featuring actress Swastima Khadka in the lead role, the film’s first public poster had already captured the audience's attention. 

The poster, depicting a pregnant woman in makeup standing at a doorway and looking out, explained the essence of the film's story. Anticipation for the film has grown due to the released trailer and music, in which Swastima portrays a woman from the Badi community.

Following ‘Bulbul’ and ‘Chiso Manche’, Swastima considers ‘Lalibazar’—a film that brought her character into the limelight—as the ‘turning point’ of her acting career. For the first time in a decade-long career, Swastima prepared herself for the character named Madhuwala in ‘Lalibazar’ after giving an audition. The film's released song ‘Mayalai Ke Diu Ma Baina’ has recently become popular on YouTube, TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

Similarly, ‘Mitho Sansar’ and ‘Mai Ramri Chu Ta Ni’ have also been well-received by the audience. Since ‘Jatra’, films produced by Shatkon Arts were being directed by Pradip Bhattarai. However, this time for ‘Lalibazar’, the directorial responsibility has been given to Yam Thapa. The story of the film is also his, while the screenplay was prepared by the directorial duo Bhattarai and Thapa.

While Shatkon Arts was preparing to make a film about the Terai region, director Pradip Bhattarai, producer and actor Rabindra Singh Baniya, and producer Max Dipesh Khatri met with director Yam Thapa to seek suggestions on a screenplay. This meeting led to the collaboration for ‘Lalibazar’. During the discussion on the screenplay they met about, director Yam Thapa shared a story he had about a mother and daughter set against the background of the Badi community.

After liking the story, Shatkon Arts began preparations for the film. The production company stated that since sufficient information was not available through digital media, they reached Bardiya to conduct research and complete the film's story. Since the subject is specifically linked to the Badi community, Shatkon Arts prepared the screenplay with great seriousness.

Shatkon Arts claims the film was prepared in a way that the Badi community can feel proud of. At a press conference held in Kathmandu on Saturday, producer Max Dipesh Khatri, director Yam Thapa, executive producer and screenwriter Pradip Bhattarai, actress Swastima Khadka, Rabindra Singh Baniya, Abhay Baral, Govinda Sunar, Asha Poudel, Samaira Thapa, along with debutant actors Bishal Devkota and Prashansa Subedi, discussed the film.

Bishal is an artist working as an actor and director in theater, while Prashansa is known as a Gen-Z activist and content creator. Both are very excited about their debut film.

Producer Max Dipesh Khatri: Shatkon Arts, which has already produced ‘Talakjung vs Tulke’, ‘Jatra’, ‘Jatrai Jatra’, ‘Mahapurush’, and ‘Mahajatra’, has become even more serious about the themes we raise by the time we reached ‘Lalibazar’. We feel that we have become more mature through our work in ‘Lalibazar’. This time, we have brought a story of a mother and daughter set in the background of a specific community to the audience. Previously, in ‘Mahapurush’, we showed the story of a father and son. In terms of subject matter, ‘Lalibazar’ is the best among the films we have produced.

Pradip Bhattarai, Executive Producer/Screenwriter: While preparing to bring a different story from Shatkon Arts, we were working on an idea from the Terai. We met director Yam Thapa to get advice on that. During that discussion, we mentioned we were looking for a story and would produce it if we found a good one.

Yam ji gave us the story he had. After reading it, we decided to produce the film. Since the story is about a woman from the Badi community, we did a lot of discussion and research while preparing the screenplay. We have worked hard to bring a different kind of story to the screen for the Nepali audience. After watching this film, the audience will learn about the Badi community; much of the information currently available is incorrect. However, this is purely a story of a mother and daughter.

I have been directing the films from Shatkon Arts, but since this story belonged to Yam ji and he is from Bardiya, we entrusted him with the direction believing he would do justice to the story. We know our decision was right, and after the film is released on May 1st, filmmakers and audiences will know as well.

Rabindra Singh Baniya, Actor: ‘Lalibazar’ came to us while we were preparing to make a film on a social subject at Shatkon Arts. This film shows a mother’s struggle along with her affection. In this, I have played a negative role after ‘Talakjung vs Tulke’. It is the role of an oppressor and a feudal lord. If I found it difficult just playing that character, how must the sisters there have endured it? We have prepared the film keeping the seriousness of the subject in mind.

This film is commercial, but while preparing it, we went to the Badi community to conduct research and prepare the screenplay. We worked understanding the gravity of the subject. The characters like the one I played should not exist in society; such characters are not fit to remain on this earth. While working on this film, I realized that no matter how many times we or the state apologize to those communities, it will not be enough.

Swastima Khadka, Actor: I am confident that ‘Lalibazar’ will be the film that defines me as an artist for many years to come. I consider myself lucky to have been able to be an artist in this film. Because Shatkon Arts was producing the film, I was selected after giving an audition for a ‘look test’ after completing ten years of my acting journey.

This is a story of a mother and daughter, but I have played the role of a Badi woman. To prepare for my character, I went to Bardiya myself to do research. I met and spoke with elderly mothers. I was able to live as the character ‘Madhuwala’ in a world quite different from what I had seen and understood. For me, ‘Lalibazar’ has become a film that will be remembered for a long time.

Bishal Devkota, Actor: I was working in theater. They apparently noticed me after coming to see a play. I was thrilled to be working with Shatkon Arts and an artist like Swastima Khadka. This is because Swastima has already proven herself in acting through films like ‘Bulbul’ and ‘Chiso Manche’, and I don’t need to say anything about her commercial value.

Working as her partner in ‘Lalibazar’ gave me an opportunity to learn. We all got exactly what we had heard about Shatkon Arts. I feel that such films do not just end inside the theater; they reach homes, families, and villages to spark discussions.

Prashansa Subedi, Actor: I was preparing to act and had given auditions in a few places, but a collaboration hadn't happened. Because of that, I stayed informed about news regarding Nepali films. One day, Rabindra Uncle (Rabindra Singh Baniya) told me to come and audition if I was interested in working in a film.

I was aware of ‘Lalibazar’, which is why I went to audition. After they watched some videos and took some time, I got the news that I was selected. I am very happy to work with Shatkon Arts and Swastima Did (Swastima Khadka) in my first film. Because I grew up in the city, I had to look like I was from a rural area and work on the accent. The actors, production team, and director helped me a lot. The workshop gave me a lot of knowledge, and I have worked as hard as possible.