Bollywood gives walkover to World Cup in Nepal

Bollywood gives walkover to World Cup in Nepal
Monday, March 07, 2011 10:29 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Starting Saturday, Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut will have to grapple with a deadly rival in Nepal. Seeking to beat the lack of new Bollywood releases, the owner of Nepal's biggest and most expensive cinemas is trying a different game - the World Cup.

Kathmandu's Kumari cinema that has two auditoriums Saturday started screening World Cup matches live till the finals.

The Sri Lanka vs Australia match premiered on the big screen in one of the auditoriums from 2.45 p.m. Nepal time -- and will continue till 10 p.m.

The other hall in Kumari is screening director Vishal Bharadwaj's dark comedy "7 Khoon Maaf" starring Priyanka Chopra. But it has failed to generate any enthusiasm in the Himalayan republic. Kangana Ranaut's new release "Tanu weds Manu" would be screened in the morning, ahead of the matches.

"It's a bad time for cinemas, " says Nakim Uddin, the 47-year-old Nepali entrepreneur who owns Kumari, which finds mention in the Lonely Planet guide to Nepal.

"Due to school examinations and the World Cup, there are no new releases in Bollywood, " he says.

The three multiplexes owned by Nakim Uddin - Kumari, Jai Nepal and the latest and biggest QFX Central - rarely screen Nepali movies, except for unusual ones like "Karmaa", a revenge tragedy marking Manisha Koirala's return to the Nepali film industry after almost three decades.

"Cricket fans are growing in Nepal. However, few can watch the World Cup due to the power cuts, " says Nakim Uddin.

Going through an acute power crisis due to its rivers drying up in winter, Nepal is currently living with four to seven hours of electricity during waking and working hours, making TV watching a luxury only the rich can afford.

"We thought it would be an entertaining experience for viewers, who can watch an entire match uninterrupted with friends, " he says.

The tickets, however, are rather steep - NRS 500 per match - since each match is the equivalent of two films.

Depending on the response the new experiment gets, the match screening can be started in other cinemas as well, Nakim Uddin adds.
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT