Pension Patta and Behuli Enter the Theatres as Nepali Films Compete for Screens and Audiences

Dragon Media Correspondent

A fresh round of competition has begun in Nepal’s film market with two Nepali films, “Pension Patta” and “Behuli,” opening in theatres on Friday. With foreign films also in circulation, both releases are competing not only for audiences but also for showtimes and screen space.

Directed by Maotse Gurung, “Pension Patta” features Dayahang Rai, Gaumaya Gurung, Buddhi Tamang and Wilson Bikram Rai, among others. The film revolves around family relationships, memories, love, sacrifice and identity, with the story unfolding through documents connected to a pension and the life of a former soldier.

“Behuli,” directed by Shashan Kandel, is built around a family and emotional narrative. Featuring Paras Bam Thakuri, Divya Rayamajhi, Sushant Karki and Padam Tamang, the film follows a young woman who grows up without the support she expects from her family and explores her relationships, aspirations and future.

Another Nepali film, “Akshara,” which had also been preparing for release around the same period, has been postponed in view of the recent disaster situation. This has reduced what could have been a direct three-way competition among Nepali films.

The challenge for the new releases, however, remains significant. Foreign films continue to hold important show slots, while some Nepali films from previous weeks are still retaining screens in selected theatres.

Saturday’s box office performance is therefore expected to provide the first meaningful indication of whether “Pension Patta” or “Behuli” can build stronger early audience momentum. In Nepal’s current cinema market, word of mouth and direct audience response are increasingly becoming more decisive than publicity alone.