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The upcoming Nepali film Jaar, releasing on Baisakh 26 (May 8, 2024), features Saugat Malla, Anup Bikram Shahi, and actress Geetanjali Thapa in its three lead roles.
While Saugat and Anup are familiar names to Nepali film audiences, Geetanjali Thapa is making her debut in Nepali cinema through Jaar. Though she may not be widely recognized among Nepali viewers, Geetanjali is a highly acclaimed actress in the Indian film industry.
In Jaar, she plays a central character.
Geetanjali is the recipient of the National Film Award presented by the Government of India. She won this prestigious award for her performance in the film Liar’s Dice.
She is the first actress of Nepali origin to receive India’s highest annual recognition for film acting.
Moreover, Geetanjali is also a familiar face to Netflix viewers. She appeared in the popular Netflix series Sacred Games.
Her films have traveled far beyond Nepal and India, having been screened at prestigious international film festivals. Audiences across the globe have already witnessed her performances.
Her work has been showcased at major festivals such as Toronto, Busan, Los Angeles, and New York. According to the filmmakers, her involvement has elevated the artistic quality and global appeal of Jaar.
Telling a story through a fresh and unfamiliar face makes it easier for the audience to connect with the narrative and lends authenticity to the film. Through Geetanjali, Jaar benefits from this creative advantage.
Jaar is based on real events that took place in Nepali society during the 1800s. The story is adapted from a historical narrative by renowned literary figure Indra Bahadur Rai.
Rai’s writing reflects the social dynamics of the 19th century, which the film strives to authentically portray.
Directed by Phurba Tsering Lama, Jaar explores the complexities of human emotions and societal structures through a love story set in that era.
Produced by Feri Tale Pictures, the film is described by director Lama as a “complete package” despite being rooted in a socially relevant theme.
The film was shot in Sikkim in collaboration with Hope Reels, LA Seven Shorts, Baral Studio, and Kewa Productions.
Its executive producers include Trilochan Pandey, Neeraj Rai, Nursang Bhutia, Jyoti Kshetri, and Pema Rinzin Lepcha. With cinematography by Saravanan Elavarasu, editing by Akhilesh Rai, and music by Jhuma Limbu and Ganga Thapa, Jaar is set to release simultaneously in Nepal, India, and international markets.
In Nepal, the film will be distributed by Apple Entertainment, Reach Entertainment, and FD Company.
The film’s grand world premiere was recently held in Sikkim, where it received highly positive responses from the audience.
As viewers watched the film and reflected on their own cultural history, some were seen emotional, while others expressed excitement. The performances, direction, cinematography, background score, and visual effects were all widely praised.
Director Samten Bhutia remarked, “The film does complete justice to the original story by Indra Bahadur Rai. Deeply rooted in Nepali authenticity, this film excels in acting, direction, and technical craftsmanship. In many films, the director’s presence is hard to detect—but in Jaar, it is felt in every scene. That is the film’s biggest strength. Even in long, dialogue-free scenes, the director manages to hold the audience’s attention. It’s rare for Nepali cinema to find such a creative filmmaker.”
