Temporary Raute village constructed for Balidan’s shooting

By Our Correspondent,Urlabari, Nov. 14: A temporary Raute village has been constructed inside the forest protected by the Dahi Lamichaur Community Forest Users’ Group in Kanepokhari–7, Morang, for the shooting of Balidan, a film being produced under the banner of Aasusen Film Production.

 Crowds have begun to gather to view the artificial Raute village.  Balidan is based on the story of the endangered Raute ethnic group. Actors Sameer Bhatt and Saugat Malla are playing the lead roles in the film. 

The village is prepared approximately 1.5 kilometres east of Kanepokhari Chowk along the Morang section of the East-West Highway in a north-south stretching field spanning an area of three and a half bighas. 

According to local elders, the field has existed there since 1963 and the community forest was named Dahi Lamichaur after the open area by the Dahi River.

 Aasusen Film Production built the artificial Raute village in the same field. 

Production Manager Biplav Shrestha said that around Rs. 700,000 was spent to create the village.

According to Shrestha, the shooting for scenes connected to the Raute village will take place in the last week of November or early December.

 Produced by Pawan Bista, Balidan is expected to be released in the Nepali New Year of 2082.

Santosh Sen is the director of the film and the shooting of Balidan has already incurred expenses of up to Rs. 40 million, said Shrestha.