KATHMANDU, June 10: Over the past few years, Nepal has witnessed a surge in film shooting for Indian movies and web series, solidifying its position as a popular location for foreign filmmakers.

While Nepal has been a sought-after destination for English-language documentaries in the past, the number of Indian films shot here has significantly increased. Two years ago, the film 'Unchai' was shot in Nepal for a month, garnering significant attention with its star-studded cast, including renowned Indian artists such as Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Boman Irani, and Parineeti Chopra.

Notably, alongside Indian movies, TV serials are also choosing Nepal as a shooting location. Recently, the Indian film 'Mirai' was filmed in Kathmandu, and director Anubhav Sinha embarked on a 10-day shoot from Kathmandu to Pokhara for a series.

Arun Regmi, a production coordinator, expressed his enthusiasm about the growing interest of foreign filmmakers in Nepal. "Collaborating with foreign teams has been a tremendous learning experience for Nepali technicians. Their professionalism and work ethic are commendable, and it has allowed us to understand how to operate in larger groups," said Regmi.

Regmi, along with Suraj Acharya's company Three Wheelers, has successfully managed the filming of director Sinha's series, 'Farji' and 'Uunchai,' in Nepal over the past two years.

Recently, a team from India visited Jomsom, Kagbeni, and the Muktinath area of Mustang to scout locations for an upcoming movie starring Bollywood actor Sunny Deol. Acharya stated that preparations are underway for the shoot, scheduled to take place in November.

Shankar Pandey, another manager, expressed optimism about the future, pointing out that Nepal's inclusion as a destination for international film shooting in the government's budget statement for the 2080/81 fiscal year bodes well for the industry.

According to statistics from the Film Development Board, more than 45 foreign films have been shot in Nepal in the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2079/80. Over the past six years, Nepal has witnessed the filming of approximately 243 foreign movies, web series, and documentaries, highlighting its growing appeal as a captivating filming location.

(RSS)