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The much-anticipated teaser for Haribansha Acharya’s film Bhuthan has been released. The word Bhuthan refers to a place that was once home but is now lost or has changed over time.
In the teaser, Haribansha Acharya is presented in a completely new avatar. He plays the role of a Bhutanese immigrant taken to America, where he is shown in a serious mood and expression, portraying a mentally disturbed character who is obsessed with returning to his homeland but is unable to do so. In one scene, actors Dayahang Rai and Joyash Pandey portray brothers who are arguing whether to bury or cremate their father’s body. This scene raises curiosity about how the conflict in the film will be resolved. In another scene, Richa Ghimire appears as a mother scolding her daughter for being in a homosexual relationship, representing the tension that freedom in an open society brings to families.
Hollywood actor Bruce Dern also makes his debut in a Nepali film, indicating that the film has an international level of production. In the final moments of the teaser, a dark, naked body is shown reciting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, and another body is submerged in water, symbolizing a rebirth. This highlights the seriousness of the story and suggests that Haribansha Acharya has delivered an extraordinary performance. Whether or not Haribansha’s character undergoes a literal rebirth in the film is unclear, but his career’s rebirth in acting seems certain. In his long career, audiences have never seen such a demeanor or character in Nepali cinema before.
Another exceptional aspect of the teaser is the cinematography by Susan Prajapati. The visuals and language of the scenes are unlike any other Nepali films made so far, giving the impression of a Hollywood-style production. Director Binod Paudel’s special work with Nepali actors and Hollywood’s Bruce Dern stands out.
The film, titled The World’s Happiest Man in English, stars Haribansha Acharya, Dayahang Rai, Anuradha Majumdar, Pooja Chand Lama, Richa Ghimire, Joyash Pandey, Aditi Pyakurel, Tom Crane, Bimal Suvedi, and Hollywood’s Bruce Dern in special roles. It is the first Nepali film made under the Hollywood SAG-AFTRA umbrella, with technical collaboration from some Hollywood professionals.
This is the second film by director Binod Paudel, who won the National Film Award for Best Director from the Nepal Government for his film Bulbul, which was nominated for the 92nd Academy Awards in 2019.
The main producers of the film are Abiral Thapa, Rajendra Thakurathi, Amitav Joshi, Sushank Mainali, and Kirtana Banskota, with executive producers Bikash Bhito Adhikari, Kaushila Khanal-Karmacharya, Ramesh Bhatt, Apar Shrestha, and Bhuvan Pyakurel. Co-producers include Joyash Pandey, Pradeep Sharma (Badai), Raju Paudel, Ravi Pokhrel, and Navaraj Parajuli. Deepak Gajmer is the line producer, and Eli Bohra is the associate producer.
The film features cinematography by Susan Prajapati, editing by Anjay Khadka, sound by Dinesh Khadgi Shahi, music by Sambarun Prethu Rai, casting by Surya Shahi, publicity design by Ujjwal Shrestha, production design by Bimal Suvedi, and art direction by Bollywood’s renowned art director Anjan Gajurel.
Bhuthan is produced by Thakurathi Bros, Vacant Light, Everest Entertainment, Awakening Productions from Nepal, and Mad Monkey Films from the U.S. The film presents the story of Bhutanese immigrants, their love for their homeland, and the pain of losing their birthplaces when they are forced to live abroad. Bhuthan will be released worldwide on 12th of Baisakh, 2082.
