The rehearsals for Nefta Awards 2016 have come to an end, with the team now gearing up to head to the United Arab Emirates for the awards show. The rehearsals, performed over nine rounds, saw actors such as Rajesh Hamal, Naazir Hussein, Malina Joshi and Karishma Manandhar, among others, rehearse for the event slated to be held on December 23 in Dubai.

The closing round of the rehearsals, held at Brihaspati Dance And Acting Studio, in Bagbazaar, saw actors Naazir Hussein and Karishma Manandhar pair up for a dance performance. Meanwhile, superstar Rajesh Hamal is slated to share the stage with actress Malina Joshi at the show.

Speaking to the Post, Chairperson of Nefta Pushkar Lama (Prem Bhomjan) said that the decision to pair the two actors representing two generations was made to embrace the upcoming generation while honouring the contributions made by the preceding generation of cine artists. “It is also to reach out to the actors’ different fan base,” Lama said.

Speaking about the approaching event, Lama reiterated that Nefta has made it a mission to promote Nepali films internationally and claims the organisation of the awards in Dubai, home to thousands of Nepali immigrant workers, will be a major stepping stone.

“It has to be understood that organising the Nefta Awards overseas is not just for cheap popularity,” Lama said. “It is to foster the film industry’s rising popularity overseas. There is possibility that by taking the award show overseas, where a significant hub of Nepali populace is working, we can expand our market and eventually globalise our industry.”

Slated to be held in Dubai this Saturday, Nefta will felicitate cine artists under 31 different categories.