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With a unique flavor of comedy, Resham Filili was released in 2015.
The unprecedented success of the song “Jalma” and the trailer’s novel comedic style made the movie highly anticipated. Almost a decade later, the news broke – a sequel is coming. Along with this news, it was revealed that the debut director would be directing the sequel.
Usually, sequels are directed by the original directors, but in this case, the director was new. This led to some doubts—could the new director maintain the original film’s reputation? Would these young directors be able to capture the essence that made the first film loved by the audience?
However, what many might not know is that Niroj Maharjan, who is debuting as a feature film director with this movie, was already involved in the production process of Resham Filili. He shares, “I was a member of that team. Sometimes I assisted; sometimes, I was writing dialogues for Vinay dai (Vinay Shrestha). My uncle took care of the production side. I had already known and worked with the director (Pranav Joshi) before. We had collaborated on music videos, and I even had a small role in the film.”
What sets sequels apart is that the second or third one is never quite the same as the first. So, why did Niraj choose to make this his debut film? He says, “Everything just fell into place. We were already on the path to making a film, and I wanted to be part of a movie. Moreover, it’s a well-established name. I thought it would be the best opportunity for my debut, and it turned out to be so. Additionally, the story is entirely mine—something I’ve always wanted to tell. It fits into the Filili world.”
Thus, Niraj believes his film won’t disappoint the audience and will live up to the expectations of a sequel. He is hopeful about standing out as a director with this movie. “That’s the goal. The songs, teaser, and trailer are already out, and the feedback has been great. After the film is released, the audience will know for sure what the ‘standout’ aspect is. But I can assure you, the story I wanted to tell is now visible on screen.”
This movie promises to deliver a fun, laughter-filled entertainment. The two main characters, Resham and Hariya, are central to the plot, with Hariya’s childhood antics continuously causing problems for Resham. This dynamic will elevate the comedy and provide a healthy dose of entertainment.
A major question surrounding the new director is how he will present this film.
Niraj is confident, stating, “I am sure this movie will make the audience laugh just like the first one. In the teaser and trailer, I made sure to mention that it’s ‘not just a comedy.’ It has a story that also delivers a message. Along with comedy, there’s drama too. I prefer calling it a comedy-drama. It’s definitely different from the first one.”
Niraj continues, “In terms of the story, it’s better than the first. The audience will accept it. The themes and issues addressed in this movie are more advanced.”
He believes this movie will evoke nostalgia through the friendship of Resham and Hariya. It also touches on how Nepali society romanticizes developed countries and looks down on those who go to places like the Gulf or Malaysia. This movie, he feels, represents more of an organic approach to storytelling than a formulaic one.
Niraj expresses that the film’s subplots tackle a variety of issues, but he emphasizes that it is, at its core, a story of nostalgia surrounding the friendship of Resham and Hariya.
As the release date draws near, Niraj remains confident about the film’s success. When asked whether the first film is better or if this one will surpass it, he responds, “The audience will answer that. But I can assure you that both films are different in their own way. The first film was more slapstick, while this one is more drama-focused. We’ve worked hard to strengthen the content. While comedy is still central, the story is much more solid.”
The movie is scheduled to be released on the day of Shivaratri, the 14th of Falgun. Niraj feels at ease, as the world he envisioned while writing the script has now come to life on screen. As a debut director, he is confident about being recognized for his work.
