The five leads of Panch Pandav, a social drama that draws on Mahabharat characters to explore contemporary Nepali society.
A man claiming to have arrived from heaven is searching for four fellow Pandavas. But what brings him to Earth, and why does he need to find them? The first trailer for Panch Pandav introduces this mystery through Hari Bansha Acharya’s character, Yudhishthir, while offering glimpses of a society troubled by unrest, violence and crime.
Directed by Basanta Niraula, the Nepali film draws on characters from the Mahabharat to tell a contemporary story. Its ensemble cast features Acharya as Yudhishthi, Jitu Nepal as Bhim, Aryan Sigdel as Arjun, Mahesh Tripathi as Nakul and Sushil Sitaula as Sahadev.
Following promotional posters introducing the characters, Trailer offers a closer look at their world. It reveals parts of the story while keeping the purpose of Yudhishthira’s search and the connection between the five men under wraps.
A Search Complicated by Attraction
Yudhishthir appears to have arrived with a particular mission. Yet his journey takes an unexpected turn when he becomes captivated by a young woman, played by Eva Giri, who portrays Draupadi.
That attraction adds another question to the trailer: can a man searching for his companions stay focused on his own purpose?
Scenes of protests, repression and violence unfold alongside these personal distractions. The contrast suggests a story concerned with both society’s problems and the weaknesses of the people moving through it. However, the trailer leaves the larger meaning of these encounters open.
The characters also appear to occupy two worlds. They carry the names and identities of the Pandavas while resembling people from present-day society. How those identities fit together is one of the trailer’s central mysteries.
Mahabharat Characters in a Contemporary Story
Writer Sushil Poudel describes Panch Pandav as a social drama that uses the characters and symbolism of the five Pandavs to explore contemporary Nepali society. He has written the film’s story, screenplay and dialogue.
That premise gives context to the trailer’s mix of familiar mythological identities and modern social conflict. Rather than revealing the full plot, the preview introduces the characters, their contradictions and the questions surrounding their journey.
Alongside the five leads, the cast includes Deepa Shree Niraula, Sarita Giri, Binod Neupane, Rama Thapaliya, Prashant Tamrakar, Eva Giri, Sita Neupane and Ritesh Poudel, also known as Ritesh Jung Khatri.
Panch Pandav Targets a Tihar (Dipawali) Release
Panch Pandav is scheduled to open in cinemas on November 6, corresponding to Kartik 20, ahead of Tihar.
Produced under the Kali Rani Films banner, the film is presented by Nabin Shrestha and produced by Kali Rani Shrestha. Shrestha previously produced Laaj Sharanam.
Shyam Tamang serves as cinematographer, with editing by Supreme Parajuli and action direction by Samrat Basnet. The technical team also includes composer Arjun Pokharel, sound designer Uttam Neupane and background-score composer Sujil Karmacharya. Director Niraula says the film has been prepared with Dolby Atmos sound.
RR Films, led by Rohit Kattel and Ratna Shrestha, will handle its nationwide distribution.
