Bioscope Cinema Pvt Ltd has announced the production of the film Paran. Written and directed by Deepak Acharya (Kaku), the announcement was a kind of surprise to the film industry, as it marks the entry of Nepal’s prominent Corporate House Golchha Group.
The industrialist and immediate-past President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Shekhar Golchha’s entry into the film making has also sparked discussions in the industry where, a few, industrialists as an exception have invested. Most of the reaction is however, positive, as it is expected to bring the corporate culture in the Nepali film industry that is moving in an ad-hoc basis, though it has a good return, too.
The release of Purna Bahadurko Sarangi in November made a historic collection at the box office. The film has earned over Rs 500 million in the domestic market and reportedly grossed around Rs 1 billion worldwide. Other Nepali films have also grossed well, expanding the scope of the Nepali film market, of late.
Golchha also accepts that the success and collection of Purna Bahadurko Sarangi definitely motivated him to enter the film industry. "However, we had registered our film production company nine years ago," he revealed.
Industrial slowdown and a new investment opportunity
In recent years, Nepal’s industrial and business sectors have witnessed a slowdown that has hit the private sector, the backbone of the economy, hard. Amid the search for new investment opportunities, Golchha shifted his focus to the film industry, which has seen an increase in both the number and quality of movies. "While exploring new business avenues, I found scope in the film and education sectors," he said, adding, "That’s why I have invested in a film production house and an educational institution.”
Corporate entry into film: A positive shift
The film industry takes the entry of corporate houses very positively. The chairman of the Film Development Board Dinesh DC welcomes the development. “When corporate houses enter any industry, they bring culture with them,” he said, adding that the industry will have a long term investment plan with diverse investments, and it will not impact with one hit or one flop. “Because, corporate investment ensures continuity, which stabilizes the industry to develop craft.”
Likewise, director and writer Manoj Pandit also sees Shekhar Golchha’s interest in films as a significant move to Nepali cinema industry. He believes the corporate sector’s entry will help corporatize the industry, presenting both opportunities and exciting possibilities.
Pandit highlights several benefits of corporate involvement, particularly in supporting artists. “Our mindset has always been constrained by budget limitations, affecting creativity and imagination,” he said, adding that corporate investment can help them free from psychological constraint, and focus on full creative potential.
Pandit also points out that corporate houses have strong marketing and distribution channels, which can help expand the reach of Nepali films to a broader audience.
Despite profit motives, corporate investors allocate substantial resources to production, benefiting both quality and industry standards, according to Pandit.
A history of corporate investments in Nepali films
The first Nepali film financed by an individual, Maitighar, was released in 1968 (2024/25 BS). Since then, individuals have mostly continued to invest in filmmaking, and corporate involvement has been rare.
In the 1980s, Forbes listed billionaire Binod Chaudhary invested in Vasudev in collaboration with actor Nir Shah. Despite receiving critical acclaim, the film failed commercially, discouraging Chaudhary from further investment in the film.
Other business houses, like IMS Group Chairman Deepak Malhotra (Sauta) and the Dhanawat family (Saubhagya), also entered film production but could not get success in box office. Similarly, CG Entertainment produced Visa Girl in 2012, but after its box office failure, Chaudhary Group has not produced any film.
Dinesh DC, who has long been associated with Chaudhary Group, believes corporate investors withdrew from filmmaking due to the absence of a formal system in the Nepali film industry.
"Binodji made Vasudev because of his close association with Nir Shah, but at that time, there was neither an industry framework nor sufficient theaters,” he said, “Without a formal system, they did not continue.”
However, DC thinks that things are improving. “The Nepali film industry is slowly in the way to become an industry as such, formally,” he added.
That’s why, Shekhar Golchha, as he claims, intends to introduce corporate culture into the film industry.
Nepal’s film industry, if developed formally as an industry, has the potential to become a significant contributor to the economy, not only by generating employment at home but also by becoming one of the major items for export earnings as a huge Nepali diaspora across the globe loves to watch Nepali movie.
The challenge of sustaining investment
Most industrialists, who ventured into the movie in Nepal failed to get success in box office, distracting them from the longer involvement. Their films not only struggled to get audience but also failed to gross collection, leading them to abandon the industry.
However, Shekhar Golchha’s approach is different. He has entered into the industry with a plan. His company, Bioscope, plans to produce three to four films annually. "Our first film is already on the floor, and we are working on three more scripts," he said confidently.
The need for long-term commitment
Film critic and writer Samipyaraj Timalsena stresses that while corporate entry is beneficial, sustainability is the real challenge. "We have long advocating for corporate investment to expand Nepali film industry,” he said, adding that in the past, however, investors came briefly, failed, and left. “The key question is whether they will stay long-term."
Observing Bioscope’s preparation, Timalsena believes Golchha intends to remain in the industry for a long time.
Director Pandit also advises corporate investors to enter the industry only after thorough research, so that they can last long. "Corporate houses can survive in this sector, if they engage in creative collaboration,” he said, adding that they must embrace the idea of contributing to creativity rather than just doing business.
Shekhar himself states that they have done extensive research on the Nepali film sector before launching the production house, and will contribute in enhancing the creativity of the Nepali films.
According to Pandit, a good film does not always guarantee commercial success. "Corporate houses should not be discouraged by a single film’s failure,” he advises, adding that planned investments reduce risks, and long-term engagement is key to industrializing the film sector.
Furthermore, he asserts that corporate houses need to respect filmmaking as a creative production process, not only as a money minting tool. "They must understand that filmmaking involves two main components, direction and writing,” he said, advising investors that they should respect directors and writers rather than interfering. “Creative freedom is essential for a good and successful movie.”
The global film industry and contribution on economic
Globally, the film industry has contributed significantly to their national economies. For example, the Indian film industry contributes approximately INR 6,846 crore (USD 1.5 billion), accounting for around 0.13% of India's GDP, while creating an estimated 420,000 jobs.
Similarly, in 2021, the U.S. film industry contributed around USD 468.9 billion to the economy, supporting over 122,000 businesses and millions of jobs.
Nepal’s film industry, if developed formally as an industry, has the potential to become a significant contributor to the economy, not only by generating employment at home but also by becoming one of the major items for export earnings as a huge Nepali diaspora across the globe loves to watch Nepali movie. With corporate houses like Golchha starting a ‘Bioscope Cinema Pvt Ltd’, it has rekindled the hope for Nepali cinema as an industry.
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