Kathmandu, November 12
A look back at the six months shows a mixed picture of hope and disappointment at the Nepali box office. A few films earned crores of rupees, giving their producers some relief. Most failed to return their investment. The earnings of some films stayed within the lakhs, and a few made less than a lakh.
The box office figures of the Film Development Board once again expose the gap between investment and returns in the Nepali film industry. Films such as “Lalibazar”, “Gauthali” and “Pension Patta” did notable business. Many other films released with high expectations failed to win over audiences.
The number of releases rose during this period, but commercial success did not follow. Two or more films often opened in the same week. With a limited audience, competition between films and the size of investments, producers faced even greater commercial risk.
“Lalibazar”, released on May 8, was one of the first successes of the period. According to the Film Development Board, it has grossed Rs 9.32 crore. At a time when other films were struggling to find audiences, it gave its producers relief.
Gross earnings alone cannot show a film’s actual profit. Production costs, publicity expenses, the revenue share with theatres and income from other sources must all be counted to determine the real return on investment. Even so, on the available figures, “Lalibazar” appears to have been one of the strongest commercial performers of the period.
“Pension Patta”, directed by Maotse Gurung, has also been a notable success. The film grossed Rs 10.24 crore, according to the board. It crossed the Rs 10 crore mark while still running in theatres.
Its earnings show that audience interest and positive word of mouth can sustain a film’s run for a long time. However, its final commercial result will depend on its total earnings at the end of its run and its overall cost.
“Gauthali”, earned Rs 26.03 crore, according to the figures presented. The film has completed 100 days and is still running in theatres.
Not every film in the crore club was a success
In the Nepali film market, a gross of Rs 1 crore is often seen as an important step towards commercial success. But a film that earns Rs 1 crore or more has not necessarily recovered its investment.
Producers do not receive the full gross collected at theatres. Taxes, the theatre’s share, distribution costs, publicity and production costs determine a film’s actual profit. Even films in the crore club can therefore end up at a loss.
Details from the production side show that some films released in this period earned crores but still failed to recover their investment.
“Pahad”, directed by Tulsi Ghimire, has grossed Rs 63.93 lakh. “Paralko Aago” has grossed Rs 4.28 crore. Its actual return will depend on its production cost and income from the sale of other rights.
The business of “Mitjyu” and “Kaji” was also less encouraging than expected. “Mitjyu” grossed Rs 1.32 crore, while “Kaji” stayed at Rs 44.46 lakh. Despite star casts and publicity, the films are said to have failed to recover their investment.
“Roll No. 1” has grossed Rs 1.78 crore. It had completed 51 days in theatres. To draw more viewers, its producers offered a 50 percent discount on tickets from the first week of Asar.
Three films on one day, only “Lalibazar” succeeded
“Lalibazar”, “Malati Mangale” and “Gurumaa” were all released on May 8. With three films opening on the same day, audience attention and show slots were likely to be divided. The box office figures show a clear gap in their earnings.
“Lalibazar” grossed Rs 9.32 crore, while “Malati Mangale” stayed at Rs 51.64 lakh. “Gurumaa” has grossed Rs 29.42 lakh.
“Lalibazar” won considerable audience support, but the other two films could not match its business. This shows how publicity, content, audience response and the management of theatre shows can affect commercial results when several films open on the same date.
May and June appear to have been relatively weak months for Nepali films. Many films released in this period earned very little.
Of the two films released on Jestha 1, “Ek Mutthi Badal” grossed Rs 5.21 lakh, while “Life Damage” earned Rs 34.66 lakh.
“Kumbha” also did very poorly, grossing only Rs 4.26 lakh.
“I Am Jit Bahadur”, starring Jitu Nepal, has grossed Rs 31.08 lakh. Despite the presence of a familiar face, the film did not do notable business.
“Jaad” earned only Rs 1.26 lakh. “Bhagdaud” stayed at a gross of Rs 92,995.
“Gauthali” has so far grossed Rs 26.27 crore. It ranks second on the list of the highest-earning films in the history of the Nepali film industry.
Among the films released in August-September, a few crossed the Rs 1 crore mark, but many did not do the expected business.
“Masterni”, produced by actress Priyanka Karki, has grossed Rs 40.15 lakh. The film had been declared a “blockbuster” before its release but did not deliver the expected result at the box office. It shows the gap between claims made during publicity and actual earnings.
“Parvati”, directed by and starring actress Neeta Dhungana, has grossed Rs 2.30 crore.
Release on September 11, “Tiniharu: Elephants in the Fog”, directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, has grossed Rs 1.32 crore. The film drew attention at international film festivals and has been recommended from Nepal for the international feature film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
International recognition and commercial success in the domestic market are different things. Even so, earning more than Rs 1 crore is a notable achievement for “Tiniharu: Elephants in the Fog”.
Among the films released on September 11, “Pension Patta” has grossed Rs 10.34 crore. Two other films released the same day, “Cool Boy”, starring Paras Bam Thakuri, and “Beuhuli”, starring Divya Rayamajhi, grossed Rs 2.92 crore.
Business was also mixed for films released in September- October.
“Jhingedau 2” has grossed Rs 1.46 crore. It is the sequel to “Jhingedau”, which was a commercial success in 2022, and it too has crossed the Rs 1 crore mark.
“Baa: Ek Yoddha” has grossed Rs 3.56 crore. “Acharya”, released the same day, earned Rs 1.62 crore. Another film released on the same day, “Jadau”, collected Rs 13.99 lakh.
“Chameliko Poi” and “Changul”, released on October 2, did a poor performance. “Chameliko Poi” grossed Rs 5.50 lakh and “Changul” Rs 1.38 lakh.
“Akshara”, starring Nancy Khadka and Sushil Sitaula has grossed Rs 10.29 lakh.
“Aa Bata Aama 2” has grossed Rs 6.81 crore. The gross for “12 Gaun 2” is Rs 2.31 crore.
“Chha Maya Chhapakkai 2 has grossed Rs 3.82 crore.
“Kabaddi 5” had grossed Rs 12.40 crore by November 8.
The box office record from April to October raises some questions for the Nepali film industry. Rising production costs, too many films opening at the same time and a failure to read audience tastes have become challenges for producers.
The first six months of 2083 BS show that there is no fixed formula for commercial success in the Nepali film industry. A few films have raised hopes with notable earnings, while the weak performance of many others has again exposed the risks of investing in film.
