Nepal’s Most Ambitious and Big-Budget Movie Pradeep Khadka’s ‘Airi’ Release Date Still Uncertain
Actor Pradeep Khadka’s highly ambitious Indo-Nepali film Airi has slowly turned into one of the most mysterious big-budget projects in the Nepali film industry. Announced with huge expectations and an initial 2024 release target, the film has now faced years of delays, production setbacks, injury incidents, and scheduling complications, leaving fans wondering whether the movie will finally arrive in theaters.
Directed by Jeevan Thapa, Airi was officially introduced in late 2023 with a striking title teaser showcasing Pradeep Khadka in a rugged hunter look. The film instantly generated buzz for its large scale, tribal-action storyline, and international collaboration setup.
At the time, the makers announced that the film would release globally in 2024 under the banners of Camera Take Limited, Reltic Pictures, and Multi Matte. However, the ambitious timeline soon proved difficult to maintain.
Industry sources suggest the film carries an estimated budget of around NPR 14 to 15 crore, making it one of the costliest Indo-Nepali co-productions ever attempted. Managing financing structures, coordinating international production logistics, and completing large scale pre-production reportedly slowed the project from the very beginning.
Although the film was announced in 2023, major preparations were still incomplete at the time. Casting decisions, technical planning, and location scouting were reportedly ongoing even after the teaser release.
The project eventually entered principal photography in May 2025 in Nepal’s remote Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, known for its dramatic Himalayan landscapes. The film stars Pradeep Khadka alongside Indian actress Chum Darang, while Bhutanese actor Sangay Tsheltrim and Nepali actor Dhiraj Magar were also associated with the project during different stages of development.
According to reports, the actors underwent intense physical preparation for the tribal-action narrative. Training reportedly included horse riding, archery, survival techniques, and combat rehearsals to authentically portray Himalayan hunter culture.
One of the biggest setbacks during production came after actor Sonam Topden suffered a serious leg fracture while filming an action sequence in Dhorpatan. Reports claimed the injury occurred during a dangerous tree stunt scene involving Pradeep Khadka. The accident forced major changes to the production schedule and temporarily halted parts of the shoot for several months.
The delays did not stop there. In 2025, reports also surfaced regarding disputes between the production team and actor Dhiraj Magar over shooting schedules and contractual commitments. The issue later moved toward mediation, allowing the project to continue development.
Another major reason behind the delay is the film’s extensive post-production requirement. Because Airi is being shot in natural Himalayan environments with large-scale action sequences, the makers are reportedly planning a heavy VFX treatment that could require nearly eight months of post-production work.
Despite the long silence surrounding the project, there has been no official announcement regarding cancellation. Sources close to the production indicate that the film is still active and progressing slowly through filming and post-production phases.
While the original 2024 release target has long been missed, current industry speculation now places Airi’s possible release window somewhere between late 2026 and 2027.
For fans of Pradeep Khadka, Airi remains a fascinating project, a film filled with massive ambition, international scale, and blockbuster expectations, but also one trapped in a difficult and unusually long production journey.
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