On Falgun 2, 2024 B. S. Department of Publicity Film Division under the Information Ministry screened its second film—Hijo Aaja Bholi. This was also directed by Hira Singh Khatri. Bhuwan Thapa was its principal female character whereas Mitra Lal Sharma, totally a new face, was the hero of the film. Among other artistes were Bashundhara Bhusal, Hari Prasad Rimal, Indra Lal Shrestha, Pradip Rimal and Sridhar Khanal.
Production House: Sumananjali Films P.(Ltd. )
Release Date: 2023-09-01 (December 16, 1966)
Singers (Male): Premdhoj Pradhan, Manna De and Shipi Lohani
Singers (Female) : Latta Mangeskar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeskar, Aruna Lama, and Gita Datta
Main Artists: Mala Shinha, Shipi Lohani, Yadav Kharel, Tika Bhushan Dahal, Yam Bahadur Khadka, Sunita Regmi, Yadu Kumari, Pratibha Sam, Jana Darshan Sam, Sunil Datta, Rajendra Nath, Gopi Krishna, K.B. Lamichhane, Keshab Rana, B.S. Thapa, and Sohan.
This was the first film to be produced under private banner – Sumonanjali Films Pvt. Ltd. Famous Indian Film Artist Mala Singh played a pivotal role in the film. C.P. Lohani was her co- star who became latter her life partner in real life. B.S.Thapa directed the film. The veteran music maestro Jaidev scored music for the film, Lata Mangeshkar, Nightingale of India, sang for the first time a Nepali song, which was penned by the late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (MBBS). Other veteran Indian Singer who did lend their voices in the film were Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. Nepali singers like Prem Dhoj Pradhan, Narayan Gopal, C.P. Lohani and Aruna Lama also sang for the film. The film had friendly appearances of veteran Sunil Dutta and comedian Rajendra Nath.
"Aama" (mother) was the first Nepali Film produced in Nepal in 2021 Bikram Era (BS). It was produced by the Information Department of the Government of Nepal.
Shiva Shankar Manandhar (renowned radio singer and music composer) and Bhuvan Thapa (Theatre Artist) made their debut as the lead players in the movie. The film had Hira Singh Khatri as its director and V. Balsara was the music composer.
Movie: Aama
Director: Hira Singh Khatri
Produced by: Department of Publicity Film Division, the Government of Nepal
Music Composer: V. Balsara (Theme song by Nati Kaji)
Cast: Shiva Shanker, Bhuwan Thapa, Uttam Nepali, Indra Lal Shrestha, Bashundhara Bhusal, Hira Singh Khatri and Hari Prasad Rimal
Release Date : 7 Oct. 1964
Bollywood filmmaker Hira Singh Khatri had come to Nepal on late King Mahendra’s request to direct the film which was without doubt bias and has also been deemed as Panchayat propaganda. Aama however took the nation by storm and it was a great success.
The story revolvs around a typical household of a Nepalese village where a desperate young boy flees home to earn money and to alleviate agony of his poor widow mother. He served in a foreign army for a couple a years, returns home as a grown-up, energetic young man but only to find that his mother has died. The elders of the village persuade him to stay behind in the village and serve the community, reiterating the saying that “service to the motherland is equally virtuous as service to a mother”. Since there was no precedence of movie making in Nepal, there were no professional movie actors to be recruited for the leading roles. The leading actor, Shiva Shankar was a music composer/singer (www.shivashankar.org) and actress Bhuvan Chand was a theatre performer. According to Shiva Shankar, most of the shots were approved at the first single take.
The History of Cinema in Nepal dates back to 2008 (Bikram Era) when the first ever made Nepali Feature Film titled "Satya Harishchandra" was produced from Kolkata, India. The first Nepali language film was directed, produced and written by D. B. Pariyar from Kolkata, India, and was released on September 14, 1951.
As the movie was produced and shot in India many critics choose not to consider it as the first Nepali movie. But it was produced in Nepali language by people of Nepali origin I think we should give it a credit of being the first Nepali movie.
I haven’t seen the movie itself so I can’t comment much about the content and storyline. I am not sure if it still can be available for viewing. Would love to see it if somebody can suggest on where it might be available.