KATHMANDU: The film Jaar, set to be released on Baisakh 26 (May 8), was premiered on Tuesday evening at a hall in Lalitpur. Directed by Phurba Chiring Lama, the film stars actors Saugat Malla, Anoop Bikram Shahi, and actress Geetanjali Thapa in lead roles. Among the rare attendees at the premiere were former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and renowned actress Manisha Koirala.

Jaar is based on a literary work by acclaimed writer Indra Bahadur Rai. The film explores a story set approximately 200 years ago. After watching the premiere, many attendees praised Jaar for its quality. Lead actor Saugat Malla expressed great satisfaction with the film. He said, “I enjoy working on films like this. I had a thirst for this kind of story. I feel a sense of fulfillment. It offers a different taste from the current trend of films.”

Actress Keki Adhikari remarked that the film’s foundation on Rai’s work brings it closer to literature. She also praised actress Geetanjali Thapa’s performance.
Actor Bipin Karki mentioned that he had already read the original story by Indra Bahadur Rai. Speaking about the film, he said, “I had already read Jaar. The film feels just like the story. It feels literary. Watching the movie felt like reading a book.”

He considers Jaar a powerful film from every angle and believes that such content is essential to drive Nepali cinema forward. He added, “From acting to direction, every aspect is strong. If films like this continue to be made, we will reach a significant destination.”

Actress Manisha Koirala shared that she felt proud to watch such a well-made Nepali film. In her opinion, Jaar was created through skillful direction and the actors’ impressive performances.
She said, “What a beautiful film! I felt truly proud.” Following this comment, she even saluted director Phurba for creating such a commendable piece of work.

Similarly, former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai also praised the actors’ performances and director Phurba’s hard work. He expressed that the film could help the younger generation understand history better.