The third installment of the blockbuster movie franchise Chakka Panja has begun its principal photography.  The 45-day shooting schedule began after an offering was made at the Suryabinayak Temple in Bhaktapur over the weekend.

At the inaugural event, attended by the cast and producers, it was announced that the shooting would take place at several locations in the Valley. The production team will also go to scenic locations such as Chitlang and Baglung for song and dance sequences.

Chhaka Panja 3 is set to see actors Deepak Raj Giri, Puspa Khadka, Priyanka Karki, Deepika Prasai, Jeetu Nepal, Kedar Sharma and Budhi Tamang reprise their roles one more time; while Deepashree Niraula will helm the movie which is being made under the banner of Aama Saraswasti movies. The film is being produced by Jeetu Nepal and Kedar Sharma, while Purushottam Pradhan will be responsible for the principal photography.

“The reason for the continuation of the series has been the audience’s unending support,” Deepa Shree Niraula, the director shared with the Post, “We will continue to present social issues in an entertaining way.” 

The director also said that a higher level of expectation from the audience has also increased the responsibility of the cast and the production crew. “Like the last time, the story line will be kept under wraps, but the entertainment factor will be doubled.”

Deepak Raj Giri has penned the script for the movie, while Jeetu Nepal, Kedar Sharma and Yaman Shrestha have collaborated for the dialogue.

Chhakka Panja 2, which released in late September last year marking the day of the Fulpati, had opened big in its opening week at the box office, raking in around Rs 60 million in six days.

Both previous editions of Chhakka Panja, despite mixed reviews, have set benchmarks for box office collections. When opened, Chhakka Panja (2016) overtook the late Shree Krishna Shrestha-starrer Kohinoor at the box office to become the highest grossing movie in the industry.

Chhaka Panja 3 is slated for release this Dashain.