The first look of the upcoming Nepali film Dhanapati was released amid a function held in the Capital on Sunday. The film stars Khagendra Lamichhane, Surakshya Pant and Aashant Sharma in the lead roles. 

Produced under the banner of Tukee Arts, the film is directed by Dipendra K Khanal and written by actor Lamichhane himself. 

This is director Khanal and Lamichhane’s second venture together after 2017’s Pashupati Prasad, a critical and commercial success. Prior to this, Lamichhane starred in 2014’s Nischal Basnet-directorial Talak Jung vs Tulke. In the both the films, Lamichhane’s role as the film’s protagonist, a common Nepali character struggling in Nepal’s post-war society, was received with admiration; both the films were a testament to Lamichhane’s singularly, and unprecendented tone in the Nepali film industry. 

Lamichhane’s latest, Dhanapati, seems to follow in the mood of the actor’s previous films, as evidenced by the film’s first look. The poster features actor Lamichhane in an unsuspecting look; donning a dhaka topi, Lamichhane is riding his bicycle with his family, giving the hint of a Nepali middle-aged commoner. 

The film, according to the producers, tells the story of Sanakaji (aka Dhanapati) who, to escape the Maoist insurgency, flees his hometown in the Tarai, and is currently residing in the Capital, working in a restaurant to support his family of three. A problem, which has to do with the country’s changing political landscape, gets Sanakaji in a fix, and that, yet unspecified, problem forms the central plot for the movie, the producers disclosed. 

Speaking about the film, Lamichhane has said, “I am full aware of the fact that the audiences who liked my role in Pashupati Prasad have high hopes. I am sure Dhanapati won’t let them down.” 

Speaking at the function, director Khanal said that he has invested a lot of energy into Dhanapati, “more than any other films I’ve made.” 

The film is photographed by director Khanal himself and features actors, along with Lamichhane and Pant, Manish Niroula, Aashant Sharma, Harihar Sharma and Ravi Giri, among others. 

Dhanapati will release nationwide on July 7.