Patan High Court clears release of Lalibazar

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 7: The Patan High Court has cleared the way for the release of the film Lalibazar, directed by Yam Thapa on Wednesday. 

A joint bench of judges Khadananda Tiwari and Netra Prasad Acharya at the Patan High Court refused to continue the short-term interim order that had previously halted the film’s release.

Following the decision, the production company Shatkon Arts has announced that the film will be released this Friday in cinemas nationwide. Producer Max Dipesh Khatri confirmed that the film will go on general release from that day.

He said, “We did not make the film in a way that would hurt the sentiments of any community or group. We have created a story centred on a mother and daughter, highlighting the struggles the mother endures for her child.”

Director and writer Yam Thapa expressed confidence that the film would not offend any community. He said, “There has been considerable speculation about the film based on assumptions. I am confident that no one will feel hurt after watching it.”

The film features Swastima Khadka, Rabindra Singh Baniya, child artist Samaira Thapa, Mukunda Kumar Shrestha, Abhay Baral, Prem Pandey, and Asha Poudel, among others. 

Bishal Devkota and Prashansa Subedi make their acting debut in the film.

The film features a screenplay and dialogue co-written by Thapa and Pradeep Bhattarai. The film’s executive producer is Bhattarai, while Max Dipesh Khatri and Rabindra Singh Baniya serve as producers.