'Lalibazar' in its fourth week: gets 140 shows nationwide

Kathmandu. The Nepali film 'Lalibazar', which has been screening since May 8 (Baishakh 25), has entered its fourth week starting today. As it enters its fourth week, 'Lalibazar' appears to be well ahead of other new Nepali films. The film has secured 140 shows across the country. Having received 180 shows on its opening day, the film has gained even more audience support as it enters its fourth week. Actor Rabindra Singh Baniya, who has been continuously meeting the audience and gathering feedback since the film's release, stated that the trend of entire families coming to the theaters as viewers is increasing.

He said, "Due to our legal dispute, the audience initially thought that the film might not be suitable for families to watch, so at first, many viewers came to watch it alone. After realizing that the film is indeed meant to be watched with family, audiences are now coming to the theaters with their entire families. Just this Thursday during a theater visit, we met one family of 18 people and another of 17 people in Bhaktapur; currently, three generations are coming to the theaters to watch the film."

He mentioned that they encountered audiences ranging from grandfathers to grandsons in the theaters. Having entered its fourth week, the film 'Lalibazar' has secured 140 shows across Nepal for Friday. On the Friday and Saturday of the fourth week, the crowd of viewers is increasing in most of the shows obtained by the film, and the shows are becoming housefull. Actor Baniya stated that they have received the same kind of love from audiences across Nepal.

He said, "I have returned after traveling to major cities across Nepal and meeting the audience. The trust with which the audience has come to us makes us feel that their time and money have been well utilized upon their return. Through the story of a mother and daughter, the film highlighted the importance of education, which the general audience has understood well. The film has done similar business in Kathmandu and outside the valley, which also shows that we have received love from all over Nepal simultaneously."

Exhibitors believe that the film, written and directed by Yam Thapa, will cross the 10 crore mark. The audience has praised the subject matter, directorial aspects, and lifelike acting of the artists in 'Lalibazar' with open hearts. Most of those leaving after watching the film have given feedback that their eyes welled up and they connected with the mother's struggle. The "word of mouth" being provided by the audience made the weekend of the third week pleasant for the film.

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, Saraswati 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. The screenplay and dialogues of the film 'Lalibazar', prepared based on the story and direction of director Yam Thapa, have been 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.