'Puja, Sir' selected in 81st Venice International Film Festival

Kathmandu, July 24: Nepali film 'Puja, Sir' has been selected in 81st edition of Venice International Film Festival under the 'Orizzonti section'.     

The selection of the movie was unveiled in announcement the lineup of the movies for the festival by the festival organizers on last Tuesday.     

The Festival, considered to be the oldest cinematography event in the world, is going to take place from coming August 28 to September 7.     

Director Deepak Rauniyar, buoyed by the selection of his film in the prestigious festival, commented that it was the beginning of a 'happy journey'.     

Earlier named 'Rajagunj', movie's director Rauniyar changed its name to 'Puja, Sir' during the shooting, it was shared.     

The movie, featuring actress Asha Magarati, former Miss Nepal Nikita Chandak, Reecha Sharma, Pashupati Rai and actors such as Daya Hang Rai and Bijay Baral, was shot in Janakpur.     

Other artistes such as Aarati Mandal, Gaumaya Gurung, and Niraj Shrestha have also acted in the movie that revolves around the story of a female police officer.     

The movie 'Puja, Sir' is going to be premiered globally from the international festival. Rauniyar, expressing his excitement, remarked, "I am curious how this movie, made in collaboration with the Nepali producers, would fare on the world film stage."     

It may be noted that the 'White Sun' directed by Rauniyar had become the first Nepali film to be selected in the same category in the Venice International Film Festival in 2016 followed by 'The Red Suitcase' directed by Fidel Devkota in 2023.     

The thriller movie, 'Puja, Sir' will be shown in Nepal after it is shown in the global market, the makers said.(RSS)