Himalayan Kingdom Nepal Sees ´Tees Maar Khan´ Strike!

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this story

When Nepali film director Dev Kumar Shrestha announced his new film, the first supernatural thriller in Nepal, would be released on Christmas eve, he was not deterred by the thought of theatre-goers being diverted by festivities or new Nepali films releasing simultaneously with star-studded casts, or for that matter, 'Tees Maar Khan'.

However, the 38-year-old was forced to call a press conference Monday to concede that 'Ek din, Ek Raat' would now be shown a week later, from Dec 31.

'Tees Maar Khan', Bollywood's much-hyped new action comedy directed by Farah Khan and starring Akshay Kumar as the super rogue and Katrina Kaif as his leading lady, is being released internationally Dec 24 and Shrestha decided not to take any chances.

"Nepalis are avid watchers of Hindi films," Shrestha said. "Besides being preceded by a lot of hype, 'Tees Maar Khan' is a big-budget film made under a big banner and with big stars."

By contrast 'Ek Din, Ek Raat', despite receiving considerable pre-release publicity in Nepal, was made on a budget of NRS 8 million - Rs.5 million in Indian currency - which would be considered peanuts in India's mega-billion-rupee spinning film industry.

It also deliberately avoided signing up big names, instead opting for theatre artistes with a solid reputation for acting skills.

Unlike most Nepali films, 'Ek Din, Ek Raat' would be screened in Jai Nepal, one of the best theatres in Kathmandu that shows only exceptional Nepali films. So with the multiplex also releasing "Tees Maar Khan" Friday, Shrestha thought it prudent not to take the big Bollywood rival head-on.

In Nepal, it is not Nepali directors but Bollywood that still remains the film industry's biggest competitor.

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