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Nepali society, by nature, is introverted — it keeps feelings suppressed and rarely expresses them openly. In a patriarchal system, women are often forced to live under suppression and pressure.
In such a society, where even women struggle to speak about their pain, the condition of transgender individuals is far more difficult. Many are compelled to hide their identity, leading to lives of quiet suffering.
Fear of family rejection, societal prejudice, and the risk of being ostracized force transgender people to suppress their true gender identity. A glimpse of this reality is powerfully portrayed in the trailer of Gunyo Cholo: The Dress.
The trailer tells the story of a boy with a feminine nature, who dreams of wearing bangles, eyeliner, and a sari. However, his parents, friends, relatives, and neighbors look at him with disdain. His father, determined to send him abroad as a laborer, subjects him to daily torment instead of accepting his wishes.
The trailer has been receiving an overwhelmingly positive response, much to the delight of the filmmakers. Director Samundra Bhatt said, “We created this film with clear expectations, and the trailer’s reception confirms we are close to achieving them. If the film is met with the same love as the trailer, we will consider ourselves successful.”
According to Bhatt, the film gives a voice to communities in Nepal that have long been silenced and unable to express themselves.
Lead actor Najir Husen also has high hopes for the project. He believes the songs and trailer are already fulfilling expectations. Recalling how Hostel a decade ago defined his career, he says, “This time, Gunyo Cholo: The Dress will introduce me to audiences through an entirely new character.”
Slated for release on Bhadra 13, Gunyo Cholo: The Dress is directed by Samundra Bhatt and marks Nepal’s first fully transgender-focused narrative. Najir Husen plays the role of a trans woman.
The cast also includes Sanchita Luitel, Sushil Sitoula, Rajkumar Ghosh, Shishir Rana, Anupam Shrestha, and Bishal Pahari.
The film’s international distribution rights (excluding Nepal) have been acquired by Buffalo 8, a U.S.-based company. All post-production work — from editing and color grading to sound design and background scoring — was carried out overseas in Hollywood style.
Hollywood vocalist Lisa Gerrard has lent her voice to the film’s soundtrack, with the background score composed by Marcelo De Francisci. Gerrard previously contributed vocals to Gladiator 2.
A joint collaboration between a Nepali production house and a Hollywood studio, the film is produced by Aakash Budhathoki and V–Vanse Janubon, with executive producers Jeffrey J. Wen and Steve Johnston. Anupam Shrestha serves as associate producer.
Cinematography is by Alok Shukla, and the songs are penned by Lekhu Sahayatri. The project was officially selected for the prestigious Tashkent Film Market in the United States.
