'Uma' to hit screens in April

KATHMANDU, Oct 16: Set in early 2000s when Nepal was going through one of the biggest conflicts in the country’s history, the movie “Uma” is all set to go on the shoot from November 1.

At a press meet, director of such films as “Mukundo” and “Karma,” Tsering Rhitat Sherpa announced that the movie’s shooting will complete within 45 days and that it’ll be released sometime in March or April next year.[break]

The movie is being produced and directed by Tsering Rhitar while its screenplay has been written by Tsering Choden who is also the chief assistant director of the movie, Kumar Bhattarai and Sherpa himself.

The cast will include Reecha Sharma, Saugat Malla, Mithila Sharma, Prawin Khatiwada, Ashok Sharma, and Dayahang Rai, among others.

Talking about the soundtracks of the feature film, Sherpa told Republica, “There are three songs that Abhaya and the Steam Injuns will be producing for the movie while one song of Gopal Yonjon will also be used in the movie.”

“I told Tsering Bhai in early 2000, I think, that he should also make commercial feature films and then he had narrated this story to me back then. I thought the time for a movie like this had already passed but there couldn’t be a more appropriate time than this, and I’m glad he’s pursuing it,” said Nepal’s ace film director Tulsi Ghimire during the meet.

In conversation with Tsering Rhitar

What’s the movie going to be about?

The movie is to reflect the reality of the present day Nepal and the problems normal people are facing in their everyday lives. There’s political instability and there have been a lot of problems. So we’ve based the story on that. It essentially carries social issues and problems of the people.

Where did the movie idea come from?

With me, I choose the subject that interests me. Like any Nepali, because of the political scenario, you see common Nepalis suffering. So this is like what I’m going through. As a filmmaker, I express what I feel through movies; so this is my way of thinking aloud.

What do you think about the current political deadlock?

There should be a strong leadership and there should be a resolution to the problems going on and put an end to the people’s misery. Because politics impacts the common people and they are always the end sufferers.

What do you think of the Nepali movie industry?

I think there are changes happening in the movie industry. The fact that a lot of youngsters and middle class are coming to watch Nepali movie is something that didn’t happen, and so I think we have a bright future. But a lot of responsibilities lie in the hands of filmmakers. We have to cater and produce quality films to really appeal to the viewers.

Films like “Loot” and other feature films have opened avenues for a lot of people to come and watch Nepali movies. But if we let them down, then we may lose the audience again. So it’s very important that filmmakers and artistes keep their expectations up by making quality films.