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The film ‘Anjila’, based on the story of Angel Thumpapo Subba, the captain and goalkeeper of the Nepal Women’s National Football Team, showcases her passion for football, abilities, struggles to break out of the confines of home, and her journey from living on the streets of Kathmandu to becoming the team captain. The grand red carpet premiere of the film was held in Kathmandu. The event was attended by the Chief Guest, Inspector General (IGP) of the Armed Police Force, Raju Aryal, along with additional IGPs, former IGP Durga Kumar Rai, former captain of the men’s national football team and former president of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), Ganesh Thapa, ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai, actresses Keki Adhikari and Alisha Rai, journalists Prakash Suvedi, Tikaram Yatri, Dabu Kshetri, directors Gyanendra Deuja, Nawal Nepal, and many others from the film industry, national players, journalists, and well-wishers.
The premiere, held at the QFX cinemas in Labim Mall, Lalitpur, featured grand decorations and a red carpet. Attendees included actor Dayahang Rai, producer and actor Prem Kumar Shrestha, co-producer Vinod Agarwal, and director Milan Chams. However, the film’s lead actress Angel Thumpapo Subba and other main cast members could not attend due to work commitments.
Scheduled for nationwide release on 29th Falgun, the premiere moved nearly all the audience to tears, as they watched Angel’s journey overcoming numerous struggles to become the captain. The film beautifully portrayed her journey, often described as more difficult than winning a major battle, as she broke through the barriers of societal and family expectations regarding women’s football. Director Milan Chams received widespread praise for presenting this biography so well. Many viewers were seen crying as they left the theater, and even those who never cry shared that they struggled to hold back their emotions.
IGP Aryal expressed that while he had always seen Angel as a football player and captain, the film revealed the true struggles she faced to reach her position. He said, “We always saw Angel’s game, we saw her leadership, but this film showed us how much she struggled to become who she is, how much sweat and tears she shed. The APF Club knew Angel, and Angel made the nation know her. This film will be an inspiration for the new generation.”
Former captain Ganesh Thapa shared that he cried 3-4 times while watching the film. “Angel has gone through so much struggle. I feel guilty that we didn’t pay attention to players like her,” said Thapa, who is also the former president of ANFA. “During our time, we initiated the employment guarantee for players in the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepali Army. As a result, today, we see the progress of women’s football players.” He also praised former Armed Police officer and the film’s producer and actor Prem Kumar Shrestha, describing him as a person who always loves the sport and its players.
Journalist Prakash Suvedi commented that making a biopic is challenging, and commercializing such a film is equally difficult. “This film has life in it, and the director worked hard to make it commercially successful,” Suvedi shared. “Before, I watched the Indian film ‘Lagaan’ starring Aamir Khan. That film forced me to watch it intently, and watching ‘Anjila’ today brought back the same feeling,” he added.
Journalist Rajiv Khatri praised the rare connection between the story and the performance of the actor in the biopic. He pointed out that instead of praising someone after their death, it’s rare to see a biopic focusing on their struggles during their success, especially in the sports genre. He called it a rare achievement for Nepali cinema to reach this level.
After watching the film, actress Keki Adhikari expressed that it deeply moved her. “Women in our society, no matter the field they are in, go through a journey full of struggles. The success of women in sports, the struggles behind it, is something this film has beautifully showcased. The story of Angel’s struggles might not be new, but through the film, it touched my heart in a way that words couldn’t,” she commented.
Director Nawal Nepal mentioned that the film addresses how children should view their parents. Another director, Gyanendra Deuja, raised the question, “Why is there no state awareness and investment despite the hardships faced by Nepali athletes?” He also shared how the film, along with Angel’s story, made him emotional.
Actress Alisha Rai mentioned that this film teaches viewers how to live life. Actor Prashant Tamrakar pointed out that every Nepali girl from the villages has a struggle similar to Angel’s. “I cried several times. Seeing the struggles Angel went through was really tough,” Tamrakar added. “It’s probably because Angel herself acted in the film that her performance felt so real,” he concluded.
Director Janakdeep Parajuli, President of the Society of Directors, said that the film was exactly what Nepali audiences have been waiting for.
Director Milan Chams expressed that the reactions received at the premiere left him speechless and added, “Now, it’s the turn of the audience.” “I told Angel, ‘Don’t act, just show what you’ve gone through in life.’ Even I get emotional every time I watch the film. It has been praised in every premiere, and now it’s the turn of the audience,” Chams shared. This is Chams’ third biopic, following ‘Blind Racks’ and ‘Bobi.’
Producer and actor Prem Kumar Shrestha mentioned that this proves that if you work with good intentions, people will support you. He praised director Chams, saying, “After I shared my plan, he said, ‘I’ll support you.’ After hearing about building a house for Angel, actors like Dayahang Rai and others not only acted but also promised to help in other ways,” Shrestha added.
Earlier, this film’s premiere was held in Hong Kong, Korea, the UK, and Dharan, Nepal. The film features major performances by Angel, Prem Kumar Shrestha, Dayahang Rai, Sunil Thapa, Vijay Baral, Srijana Subba, Mao Tse Gurung, and Buddhi Tamang.
The film was shot in Angel’s hometown Ilam, Aitabare, Jhapa, and Kathmandu. The cinematography was done by Sudip Baral, and the editing was handled by Milan Shrestha. Produced under the banner of Mun Love Entertainment, the film’s producer is Prem Kumar Shrestha. Executive Producer is Vinod Agarwal, and co-producers include Tubendra Limbu and Rajesh Bagadia.
