It had been long since I had heard about famous Nepali Film Kabaddi. Actually, we had planned to go to cinema hall together with whole family. But somehow that never became possible. And I missed its screening in few events. 

So, finally when I saw that Nepal Bharat Library was screening Kabaddi for its Cinemandu series on 5th July friday, I was determined to go anyhow. Shubham usually had Tabla classes every friday evening. But luckily this friday, he did not have Tabla class to attend. 

I picked up Shubham from his school bus in new road. That was not his regular stop. The driver took the bus far ahead to the other side. I had to run puffing here and there to catch up. Thank god, I did not have an accident. By the time, Shubham and I entered the library, the hall was nearly full. Fortunately we got the seat and Shubham started eating, hungry that we was after whole day of school. 

First, a short film " Bansuli" was screened. I loved it. It was set in backdrop of Jumla. Shbham was little bit disturbed by few scenes. I do not know why, perhaps he is too sensitive. Even a minor verbal debacle makes him uncomfortable. 

Then, Kabaddi started. It was just great, from beginning to end, not a single dull moment. Its amazing to see new age of heroism in Nepali cinema. Its great to see a man as a hero who is just so ordinary that you feel he is your own brother or father. The setting of Cinema in Mustang makes it even more alluring. For those, who have not been able to reach there yet, feel like packing your bag and start off a journey. All characters are natural, there is no acting about it. Humour is crisp and smooth. All in all, I feel Kabaddi is our own story. Director Ram Bahadur Gurung has done a great job. Actors Dayahang Rai, Nischal Basnet and Rishma Gurung.

Later, it was privilege to  hear Nischal Basnet and Ram Bahadur Gurungji during interaction. Ramji was albeit shy and would pass most of the questions to Nischal who answered them with clarity and intelligence. I however, could not share my observation about the film. Shubham had been nudging me long time to speak up. I observed that though character of Maiya ( Rishma Gurung) is very bold, I felt that directors could have expanded her possibility for more agency. She is just given a role of a girl between two guys. 

I was amazed by honest and candid observation of Nischal. He was accepting towards the comment and he said may be in future, they will be making films with such considerations. what touched me was not the answer but acceptance towards the view point expressed. In Nepal, I am so accustomed to be being challenged and questioned about "comments" that I sometimes rarely regard it important to speak. 

I hope the team brings forward another wonderful film for a particular group of people in Nepal who have been thinking since long that " Nepali films are not worth watching". Kabaddi challenges this belief and pulls us towards cinema halls and multiplexes, with the box of pop corn to laugh with our own very unique sense of Nepali humour. 

Looks like, better days of Nepali cinema are coming. And I very much look forward to it.