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The upcoming Nepali film Balidan, set to release on Phulpati during the upcoming Dashain festival, has revealed the look of one of its lead female characters, Kiran. This role is played by debut actress Kavita Rai.
In the poster, Kiran is depicted in a violent and intense situation. Her face and hands are covered in blood, and she is seen gripping the barrel of a gun, symbolizing resistance and revenge.
The poster is framed in a way that highlights only one of her eyes, reinforcing the themes of struggle, violence, defiance, and sacrifice that the film aims to portray.
Director Santosh Sen has stated that Balidan presents a fictional yet realistic depiction of a marginalized group that has been sidelined from the mainstream state system. He has named this group “Bhilla” in the film and their settlement as “Bhillamgadh”, which bears similarities to the communities in Nepal’s Terai region.
To authentically represent this marginalized group, the filmmakers conducted auditions and selected Kavita Rai for the female lead role. Balidan marks her debut in a major film role.
“We needed a strong actress to bring Kiran to life—a character representing a woman from Bhillamgadh, where women face social oppression and are exploited by cunning politicians under a ‘use and throw’ system,” said director Sen. “We held auditions to find an actress with the right expressions, appearance, and powerful acting skills for this role.”
“Our imagined Kiran—her appearance, behavior, speech, and the intense performance the role demands—was found in Kavita Rai, which is why we chose her for the role,” Sen added.
The film stars Sameer Bhatt in the lead role, alongside veteran actors Saugat Malla, Arpan Thapa, and Reecha Sharma. Balidan is presented by Asusen Films Pvt. Ltd. and produced by Pawan Bradford Bist, with Prem Puri serving as the executive producer.
