‘Panch Pandav’ to hit theatres amid boycott calls and threats

‘Panch Pandav’, a Nepali film directed by Basanta Niraula, will be released on its scheduled date on Friday despite growing controversy and calls for a boycott over alleged religious insults. “Officials of the film censor board, concerned filmmakers, and representatives from the Home Ministry and Communications Ministry were present at the meeting,” Pandit told Kantipur.

“The film censor board is a responsible institution, and its decisions and credibility must always be upheld. It was also concluded that filmmakers should be guaranteed the right to screen their films and receive security in the future.” Pandit said the production team was also informed that Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina had no intention of stopping the film and that it should not be prevented from screening.

“The minister also expressed that creators’ work should be respected and their right to exhibit it protected,” said Bishnu Prasad Koirala, chairperson of the Central Board of Film Censor, quoting the minister’s message at the meeting.