Priyanka Karki’s ‘Masterni’ and 2005 film ‘Being Cyrus’ Poster
Actress Priyanka Karki’s film ‘Masterni’ has started making noise even before its release, but this time, the buzz is not only about the movie. The newly released poster of the film has become a topic of curiosity after many noticed that its visual style looks strikingly similar to the poster of the 2005 ‘Being Cyrus’ Film. And in the entertainment world, when two posters look this close, the internet does not stay silent for long.
The Masterni poster shows Priyanka Karki lying inside a bathtub-like frame filled with water. She is seen in a sari, wearing glasses, staring straight into the camera with a calm but dangerous expression. Around her, orange fish swim through the water, giving the poster a mysterious and psychological thriller feel. The tagline ‘The calmest mind planned the deadliest game’ adds more suspense to the mood.
But the moment the poster is placed next to Being Cyrus, the similarity becomes hard to ignore.
The Being Cyrus poster also features a central character inside a bathtub-like visual setup, surrounded by water, looking directly at the camera. The framing, the mood, the top-view composition and the dark mystery tone all create a familiar visual language. While Masterni has its own styling with Priyanka in a sari and fish added as symbolic elements, the overall poster concept has sparked the obvious question: Is this just creative inspiration, or did the design come too close to the old Bollywood poster?
For now, there is no official answer. Neither Priyanka Karki nor the film’s production team has publicly addressed the comparison. That means it would be unfair to label the poster as a confirmed copy. However, in the age of social media, audiences are quick to notice visual references, especially when a poster resembles a previously released film campaign so clearly.
Nepali cinema has seen similar debates before. Posters, songs, choreography and even teaser concepts often become subjects of online comparison with Bollywood, South Indian cinema, Hollywood or international campaigns. Sometimes these similarities are intentional homage. Sometimes they are design references. Sometimes they raise genuine questions about originality.
In the case of Masterni, the poster has certainly done one thing successfully: it has made people talk.
The film is being presented as a thriller with Priyanka Karki in a strong central role. The movie is directed by Shubhendu Ghosh and produced by Priyanka Karki along with Ayushman Joshi, Cabinet Shrestha and Pranit Karki. The film also features a notable ensemble cast including Aaryan Sigdel, Saroj Khanal, Richa Sharma, Pramod Agrahari, Anoop Bikram Shahi, Simran Khadka and others.
For Priyanka, Masterni appears to be an important project, not just as an actress but also as a producer. That makes the first-look campaign even more significant. A poster is often the first emotional contact between a film and its audience. It sets the tone, builds curiosity and introduces the world of the story.
That is why poster originality matters.
At the same time, controversy can also become publicity. Whether people are praising the poster, questioning it or comparing it with Being Cyrus, the name Masterni is now being discussed. For a thriller film, curiosity is half the battle won.
The bigger challenge for Masterni will come later: can the film rise above the poster debate and impress viewers with its story, performance and execution?
For now, one thing is clear, Priyanka Karki’s Masterni has entered the spotlight with a poster that is mysterious, stylish and controversial enough to keep Nepali movie fans talking.
