Kathmandu: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has said that the Film Bill, 2081 needs to be revised as it is incomplete. 



He mentioned that the bill, which came after 56 years, is not timely and urged the National Assembly's Legislative Committee to make it more refined and dispute-free with necessary amendments. 



Speaking in the committee meeting today, during the theoretical discussion on the film bill, he commented that he found only a 10 percent amendment to the bill when viewed from the perspective of stakeholders including audiences, producers, and regulators, and expressed the view that it should be rewritten if necessary. 



"Seen from all four lenses, this bill has not been amended to incorporate the realities in the film sector that have surfaced after 56 years. If it can be revised up to 20 to 30 percent, then it would be in tune with the time. If necessary, it may have to be revised up to 40 percent," he suggested. Minister Kharel emphasised that facilitation and provision should come before regulation in the film industry. 



In the debate over which ministry the film sector should fall under, Minister Kharel argued that as the film industry is naturally connected with communication, audiovisuals, technology, and production, it should be placed under the Ministry of Communication. 



He expressed a commitment to addressing the concerns and issues raised with the censor board, stressing on the need to include provisions for 'censor' in a way to safeguarding originality and creativity. Referring to the current political landscape, Minister of Communications Kharel has reaffirmed the government's dedication to conducting elections on March 5. 



With all necessary preparations in place to ensure the elections occur as scheduled, Minister Kharel has called for cooperation and noted that the government is engaging in phased discussions with relevant parties to foster an election-friendly environment, while also maintaining ongoing dialogue with political factions. 



The proposed film bill has been reviewed in 10 separate groups, both individually and collectively. The bill has seen amendments on 189 different points. Committee Secretary Manoj Kumar Giri reported that, in addition to the committee members, 20 other MPs have put forth amendments. 



Committee members Renu Chand, Jhakku Prasad Subedi, Dr. Anjan Shakya, Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Taramani Swar, Padma Bahadur Pariyar, and Madan Kumari Shah have emphasized that the Nepali film industry is facing a significant crisis. 



They argued that it should be recognized not just as a form of entertainment, but also as a vehicle for social change, cultural impact, and economic opportunity. MPs highlighted concerns regarding the increasingly challenging conditions for artists, the discouragement of investors, and the struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. 



Additionally, MPs expressed theoretical perspectives on the rights provisions within the bill, addressing practical matters related to facilitating foreign film productions.

Communication Minister sees need of amendment in film bill

Kathmandu: UNICEF Nepal has concluded its two-week “Climate Cinema: Children on the Frontlines of Climate Action” campaign, which showcased stories of children affected by climate change across multiple provinces, including Sudurpaschim and Madhesh.



The campaign used film screenings and storytelling sessions to share children’s firsthand experiences with floods, droughts, and landslides. The initiative aimed to bring local climate realities into national conversation and ensure that youth perspectives inform policy decisions.



Speaking at the closing event in Kathmandu, Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar, who is set to lead Nepal’s delegation to COP30, said he would take the children’s concerns and recommendations to the global climate summit.



UNICEF Representative Alice Akunga emphasized that climate change poses a significant threat to children’s rights and wellbeing. “Climate change is not only an environmental issue; it is a child rights crisis,” she said, reaffirming UNICEF’s support for child-centered climate action.



The campaign was conducted in collaboration with youth networks, schools, and development partners, with the goal of incorporating children’s voices in national and international climate policy discussions.

UNICEF Nepal wraps up climate cinema campaign highlighting children’s experiences

Kathmandu: Nepathya is set to begin a concert tour in Japan, with performances scheduled in Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka, the band’s management company Nepalaya announced on Monday.



The tour will open on November 13 at Nagoya Live Hall, marking the band’s first live performance in the city. Nepathya will then perform at Tokyo Dome City Hall on November 18, before concluding the tour with a final show in Osaka on November 24.



According to Nepalaya, lead vocalist Amrit Gurung will be joined on stage by Dhruv Lama on drums, Subin Shakya on bass guitar, Neeraj Gurung on guitar, Shanti Rayamajhi on madal, and Dineshraj Regmi on keyboards.



To facilitate access for audiences in Japan, tickets can be purchased online, with seat reservations available through the band’s official website.

Nepathya to perform in three-city concert tour in Japan

Kathmandu: The 14th European Union Film Festival Nepal (EUFF 2025) will take place in Kathmandu and Pokhara this month, featuring 25 films from Europe and Nepal. The festival is scheduled from November 14 to 16 at QFX Chhaya Center in Thamel, and from November 21 to 23 at QFX Trade Mall in Chipledhunga, Pokhara.



This year’s lineup includes 10 European feature films, six BAFTA-nominated short films, and nine Nepali short films. Featured European titles include Banzo (Portugal), Je’vida (Finland), Happy (Austria), Without Air (Hungary), and The Girl from Tomorrow (France/Italy). The United Kingdom will present a BAFTA Shorts Showcase with films such as Wander to Wonder and Mog’s Christmas. Nepali short films in the program include Chandani, Abyss, Eternal Kinship, and What Grows in Thari Maila’s Vegetable Garden?



Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, the festival is being held in collaboration with EU member state embassies and cultural institutions, along with the British Council and UNESCO. All screenings will be free and include English subtitles.



In addition to film screenings, the festival will host workshops and discussions. These include a four-day filmmaking workshop on festival navigation and co-production markets (November 9–12), a panel discussion on the future of Nepal’s film industry, and a session where Nepali filmmakers will share insights from a recent UK film study tour.



Organisers say the festival aims to promote cultural exchange and support emerging talent in Nepal’s evolving film sector.

14th European Union Film Festival to be held in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Kathmandu: Veteran Indian actor Govardhan Asrani, popularly known as Asrani, has passed away at the age of 84 after a brief illness, BBC Hindi reported. He died at a hospital in Mumbai on Monday, his manager confirmed.



With a career spanning over five decades, Asrani appeared in more than 300 films, earning fame for his comic roles. His portrayal of the eccentric jailer in the 1975 classic Sholay remains one of his most iconic performances.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, describing him as a “gifted entertainer” who “brought joy and laughter to countless lives.”



Born in Rajasthan in 1941, Asrani began his career at All India Radio before training at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His versatile performances ranged from lighthearted comedies like Chupke Chupke and Pati Patni Aur Woh to serious roles in Koshish and Chaitali.



Director Ramesh Sippy said Asrani’s “jailer” character was the role he was “born to play.” Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar and Adnan Sami also expressed grief, calling his death an “irreparable loss” to Indian cinema.



His final rites were performed in Mumbai on Monday in the presence of family and close friends.

Veteran bollywood actor Asrani dies at 84

The government has agreed to provide Rs 30 million in support for the construction of an advanced film studio in Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk. An agreement to assist the under-construction CINEPA Studio was signed on Friday by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Film Development Board. 



Undersecretary Ramkrishna Aryal from the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Section of the Ministry and Board Chair Dinesh DC signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. 



According to DC, the studio aims to enhance the technological capacity of the Nepali film industry, provide integrated services to filmmakers, and enable Nepali films to compete on the international stage. "This will mark a new take-off for the Nepali film industry. 



The project stands as an investment in the future," he said. The studio will feature advanced facilities for film shooting, sound recording, editing, visual effects, color grading, and post-production. 



Once completed, it will eliminate the need for Nepali filmmakers to go abroad for technical work, significantly reducing production costs and contributing to the industry's growth, it is said.

Government decides to support CINEPA Studio project

Kathmandu: A feature film 'Anjila' is to represent Nepal in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (Oscar Awards). The International Feature Film Selection Committee in Nepal informed that 'Anjila' has been recommended from Nepal in the international feature film genre under the 98th Oscar Awards to be held in the United States. 



Selection Committee chair Bimal Paudel shared the decision to ensure representation of 'Anjila' taking into consideration the plot, artistry and message of the movie. 



"We selected the movie considering the technical aspect, presentation of the plot, notional analysis of the characters and artistic style after in-depth analysis of the film," he said. The movie 'Anjila' is based on the life of goalkeeper of Nepali Women Football team, Anjila Tumbapo Subba. 



Footballer Subba herself has debuted as an actor in the film directed by Milan Chams. The film was produced by Prem Kumar Shrestha. "Nepal has made strides in sports so we produced the film reflecting the life and struggle of footballer Subba," Shrestha shared. 



Alongside player Subba, actors Dayahang Rai, Srijana Subba, Mao Tse Gurung, and Buddhi Tamang have acted in the film. According to the production team, the film, which was released in Nepal last year, successfully grossed around Rs 90 million.

Nepali film 'Anjila' recommended for Oscar Award

Kathmandu: Luna Luitel has been crowned Miss Nepal 2025



The organizer, The Hidden Treasure, announced her as the winner during the finale held on Saturday at the Sunrise Convention Center in Godawari, Lalitpur.



This year’s competition had 26 finalists, selected through auditions conducted in Kathmandu and several other cities across the country.

Luna Luitel crowned Miss Nepal 2025

Kathmandu: Darjeeling-based Nepali writer Chuden Kabimo has won the 2081 B.S. Madan Puraskar for his novel Urmaal, the Madan Puraskar Guthi announced on Friday. The Jagadamba Shree award was conferred on Prem Dev Giri for his contribution to collecting and preserving folk songs.



Urmaal, published by FinePrint, tells the stories of women tea-garden workers whose voices have long gone unheard. Kabimo, who previously earned acclaim for his debut novel Fatsung on the Gorkhaland Movement, said at the book’s launch earlier this year that he wrote Urmaal to highlight workers’ lives often excluded from narratives about tea.



The novel was selected from 299 submissions and had made the shortlist of seven works, including Chhalbato (Ramesh Bhusal), Darjyu Sanlaap (Kumari Lama), Panchatatwako Palam (Manprasad Subba), Bahurupi (Shreyaj Subedi), Bhikshu, Byapar ra Bidroha (Sudheer Sharma), and Hiunko Geet (Tirtha Gurung).



Established in 1955, the Madan Puraskar is Nepal’s most prestigious literary award. The Guthi said the date for the award distribution ceremony will be announced later.

Chuden Kabimo wins Madan Puraskar for ‘Urmaal’

Kathmandu: Nepali band Nepathya drew a crowd of 10,000 at the world-famous Wembley Arena in London on Saturday, marking its return to the venue 12 years after its first milestone performance there.



Led by frontman Amrit Gurung, the band performed a setlist that included hits such as Koshiko Pani, Aanganai Bhari, and Rato Ra Chandra Surya, ending with an encore of Himal Chuchure after audience requests. Gurung also shared stories behind the songs and urged young Nepalis abroad to preserve their language and culture.



Fans traveled from across Europe to attend, including a Dutch supporter who had helped Gurung with throat treatment advice years earlier. Organizers BSK Entertainment and Parcha Productions called the event one of the largest indoor gatherings for a Nepali music performance.



Nepathya will continue its European tour with shows in Copenhagen on August 23, Attard on August 27, Lisbon on August 31, and Antwerp on September 3.

Nepathya performs before 10,000 fans at London’s Wembley Arena

Kathmandu: Indian cinema legends Amol Palekar, Illa Arun, and digital sensation Prajakta Koli are set to headline the 4th edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), scheduled to be held on September 13 and 14 at Hotel Yak and Yeti in Kathmandu.



KLF Founder and Director Rashmi Ranjan Parida announced the high-profile participation on Sunday, confirming that the festival will also feature noted scriptwriter Sandhya Gokhale, acclaimed film and music scholar Yatindra Mishra, and over 300 writers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.



Veteran actor and filmmaker Amol Palekar will appear alongside Gokhale in a session focused on Viewfinder: A Memoir, a non-linear biography reflecting Palekar’s journey through Indian cinema, theatre, and visual arts.



Celebrated singer and actress Illa Arun will be featured in a one-on-one conversation around her recently published biography, while Prajakta Koli, popularly known as MostlySane and recently named in TIME100 Creators List 2025, will speak about her debut book published by HarperCollins.



Yatindra Mishra, author of award-winning works like Lata: Sur-Gatha and Akhtari: The Life and Music of Begum Akhtar, will join the festival as a featured speaker, enriching discussions on music, poetry, and South Asian cinematic traditions.



The festival, organized in collaboration with Nepal-based Jeewan Jyoti Digital Care, aims to celebrate the shared literary and cultural heritage of South Asia, particularly the spiritual and philosophical connections between Lord Shiva and Gautama Buddha in the context of Nepal-India ties.



“This year’s festival will be a celebration of literature, music, dance, poetry, and art, and a lifetime experience for literature lovers,” said KLF Director Rashmi Ranjan Parida.



The central theme of the festival is "Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a Changing World", focusing on the evolving role of South Asian voices in global debates on identity, inclusion, climate change, economic growth, and spirituality.



According to Kathmandu KLF Director Vikas Bhusal, the event will feature:



<ul>
<li>Panel discussions and keynote talks by leading writers and intellectuals,</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Poetry readings and performances,</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Book launches and author interactions,</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Workshops and masterclasses,</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>South Asian literary awards, and</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>International collaborations aimed at fostering cross-border literary dialogue.</li>
</ul>



The festival, first launched in Kathmandu in 2022 as the Nepal edition of India’s Kalinga Literary Festival, continues to grow as a key platform for literary diplomacy across South Asia.

Indian film icons Amol Palekar, Illa Arun, and Prajakta Koli to attend Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival in September

Kathmandu: Renowned composer and musician Nhyoo Bajracharya is set to perform for the first time at Paleti, a signature musical series organized by Nepalaya. According to a statement released by the organizers, the upcoming edition of the series will be held on July 25 and 26 at Nepalaya's 'r' Sala and will also feature vocalist Banika Pradhan.



This month’s edition will be hosted by noted poet and lyricist Biplab Pratik and curated by composer Aabhash.



Widely recognized for his iconic compositions such as Phoolko Aankhama, Na Aau Sapana Bhari, Arbaun Manche Haruma, and Sayathari Baja, Bajracharya is a celebrated figure in Nepali music. He also composed the classic Yo Man Ta Talaau Ho, sung by the legendary Aruna Lama.



Speaking about his upcoming performance, Bajracharya said, “I see Paleti as a bridge that connects today’s audiences with the soul of modern Nepali music. I will give my utmost to make this performance on such a meaningful stage truly memorable.”



Vocalist Banika Pradhan, who will be sharing the stage with Bajracharya, expressed excitement about her Paleti debut. “The legacy of this stage is truly unparalleled. Performing here had long been a dream of mine,” she said.



Nepalaya stated that tickets for the event are available online via www.paleti.com. Launched two decades ago, Paleti has become a beloved platform for intimate, acoustic musical performances and storytelling.

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