Kathmandu: The Central Film Censorship Board has denied screening permission for ‘Rajagunj’, a Nepali film that has already been showcased at international festivals, citing its inclusion of a speech by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The board objected to a 2015 public speech in which Oli compared political parties leaving the Constituent Assembly to “mangoes falling from a tree.” The footage, originally published by Onlinekhabar, is used in the film directed by Deepak Rauniyar. The board has asked for proof of permission from the former prime minister to use the clip, despite Rauniyar arguing that it falls under public domain content.

Board member Rishiraj Acharya stated that the film must comply with the board’s directives. Discussions are ongoing to resolve the issue.

‘Rajagunj’ premiered at the Venice Film Festival, earning a ten-minute standing ovation. Set in the Madhes region, the film follows a police operation to rescue kidnapped children, featuring Asha Magrati, Dayahang Rai, Bijay Baral, and Nikita Chandak. It is scheduled for release in Nepal on March 15.