By Renuka Dhakal

Kathmandu, Mar. 17: COVID-19 fear has not spared any industry, including the film industry.
Although no COVID-19 case has been reported, except for a case in January, in Nepal, the Nepali film industry has already been hit hard by the COVID–19 fear.
Shooting of new movies has been postponed while the release of several movies has been deferred and many films had been lifted in lack of audience in the halls.
“My plans to begin shooting of Sudoor from this month has been upset after the government imposed a restriction in shooting citing the fear of COVID-19,” filmmaker Ramesh Budhathoki said.
Budhathoki was in Jumla in Karnali to explore locations to shoot his movie Sudoor, that is all about life in remote areas, when the government issued a notice urging to halt shooting of movies.
Meanwhile, Senti Virus, the much-talked-about movie starring Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus) and Kunjana Ghimire (Suntali) became probably the biggest victim of COVID-19. It had to be lifted in the third week of release when moviegoers stopped visiting theatres fearing coronavirus.
Dhurums and Suntali, who are now building a cricket stadium in Chitwan, had a plan to use the money collected from the movie to complete their project, but the coronavirus outbreak has shattered their dreams.
“I am now in tension; my plans have been ruined,” Dhurmus said.
He said he had a plan to screen the movies in Europe, America and South Korea after showing it in Nepal. But now, the situation is not favourable to release the movie abroad as almost all the countries have shut down the movie theatres after the spread of coronavirus.
“When my film failed to survive even three weeks in local theatres, and all doors to release it abroad have been shut down, I have come to Chitwan to cope with the tension,” Dhurmus said over the telephone. His “Senti Virus” is directed by Ram Bahadur Gurung.
Likewise, Sudarshan Thapa’s “Ma Yesto Geet Gauchhu 2” was to be released on March 6, but the release date has been deferred due to coronavirus.
Paul Shah and Pooja Sharma have done Ma Yesto Geet Gauchhu 2, which was shot in Ilam and Kathmandu.
“With the government’s notice not to organise any programme that draws crowds, we also decided to halt the screening of Ma Yesto Geet Gauchhu 2,” said Thapa.
Thapa further added that coronavirus has badly impacted the Nepali film industry as well as his upcoming movie.
Nurphool, another Nepali film directed by Phulman Bal, was to hit the theatre on March 20, but its release was postponed for an indefinite period.
The movie based on the 2015 earthquake features Dayahang Rai and Rekha Thapa. Bal said that it was shot in Rubi Valley of Dhading and Kathmandu. The movie is all about the struggle for reunion of a family separated due to the massive earthquake.