By Renuka Dhakal
Kathmandu, Oct. 17: It is still unclear when the film industry will be allowed to resume its business.
Although everyone is optimistic about the reopening of the film industry, which has been stalled for over seven months, no one knows when the government will allow its opening.
However, there is no clear indication that the film industry could be reopened as the COVID-19 cases are on the constant rise. Filmmakers have been urging the government to reopen the sector at the earliest.
The Indian government has also given permission to open the film sector, but in Nepal, it is not yet certain when the government will give permission to open the cinema halls and film shooting activities.
Amid this confusing situation, the shooting of the movie I Am Twenty One is about to start. The production unit is going to start shooting the film from the day of Ghatsthapana on Saturday.
Actor Dhiraj Magar and actress Jasita Gurung are doing the lead roles in the movie being directed by Rensha Bantawa Rai.
A Mero Hajur 4 film by Jharana Thapa starring Anmol KC and Suhana Thapa is desperately waiting for the government permission to shoot its remaining scenes.
Shooting of the film had begun before the lockdown, and according to the producer Sunil Kumar Thapa 50 per cent of the shooting is left and the team is hoping to complete the rest of the shooting in about 25 days.
Meanwhile, the first look of the movie Shree has been released. The film, which is set to release on television and YouTube, stars Sandeep Chhetri in the lead role.
Barsha Siwakoti, Baddi Tamang, Rajaram Poudel and Basundhara Bhushal are other actors of the film directed by Everest Surya Bohara.
The production team has claimed that the feature film was shot in 72 hours and the story is inspired by the COVID -19 situations.
Director of the Film Development Board Dayaram Dahal said, “We have been appealing to the government to open the film industry as soon as possible.”
He further said that many sectors like public vehicles, international and domestic flights and hotels and restaurants have already come into the operation so there was no point to still shut the film sector.