Pashupati Area, the most important pilgrimage center of Nepal, has the biggest cremation ground, the so called "ghats" which are the main means of livelihood for many people who dream of making a living in the city. It concerns few characters whose lives revolve around the holy area. It escapes from the dream world and projects the real aspirations, hardship, agony of common people whose lives are hard than they appear. The major specialty of the film is the connectivity it establishes with the audiences yet remaining entertaining which has been seldom seen in a Nepali movie.
Instead of presenting the holiness of the Pashupati Area, the film exposes the ugly side. Even the cremation becomes a mean of livelihood for few people like burning the corpses, collecting the coins, belongings, ornaments of the dead, unburnt firewood. There are even brawls and thefts in such activities. Besides, the film depicts the livelihoods made by the people through informal sectors like food stalls, selling cloths, amusing others through props like Hanuman Ji of the film. All these revolve around the protagonist, Pashupati Prashad, hailing from Sindupalchowk, who has come to the capital to make a living and pay the debt of his parents who have tragically perished in the great earthquake of 2015. Other characters include his Mitba, who makes a living cremating the dead, his friend Hanumanji making a living through his get up for selfies of the visitors in Pashupati, a friend who sells snacks in a kiosk, a granny living in the old age home of Pashupati area, few thugs, and his love,a mute girl. All the characters though have a separate world and ways, all dream of a decent living and intersect by the end, which leaves the audiences agape; and perhaps that's sad but the truth, which are seldom encountered in the movies.
Although the film drops into certain cheapness through the thugs shown in the movie or the just the superficial background the film touches on the characters, the film sweeps along well. The metaphorical representation it makes through Hanumanji is commendable. The acting and direction are brilliant, which grip you to the end. Overall, to encounter the realities of people around you, do watch this well made and touching movie.
Rating: 3 stars out of 4
