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The film “Reemai”, scheduled to release this Friday (Bhadra 20), is currently in full promotional swing. At a recent press meet organized by the film’s production team, actor Dayahang Rai stated that “Reemai” would serve as an important document for the Nepali film industry. He emphasized that the film would be a strong reference for those studying the Gurung community.
Dayahang said, “The film has now been made and will be released. For many, this is just a regular process. But for the future, this film will stand as a strong document. If future generations need to study the Gurung community, this will be a vital source.”
He further added, “The Gurung community living in different regions has different traditions and cultures. Even the Gurung language spoken in Gorkha and Lamjung is somewhat different. For understanding the Gurung people in the upper belt of Gorkha, this film will be a strong document.”
The word “Reemai” means daughter. However, in a slightly informal or blunt sense, it also means young girl. Thus, in the Gurung community, if someone teases a girl by saying “Reemai”, it doesn’t mean daughter but rather refers to a young woman.
According to actress Rishma Gurung, who plays the titular role “Reemai”, daughters hold the central position in their community. She explained, “In other communities, when a father or mother dies, a son is necessary for the funeral rites; daughters are not mandatory. But in our Gurung tradition, the son may not be necessary, but the daughter is compulsory. Without a daughter, a body cannot be taken from the house.”
Thus, “Reemai” highlights how daughters hold greater significance than sons in the Gurung community, Rishma said. She further noted that she chose to work on this project because it is a strong film based on Gurung culture. Rishma is an actress who entered mainstream cinema from Gurung-language films.
Dayahang also remarked that stories from various communities are gradually finding space in Nepali films. He said, “Stories from different ethnicities and regions will enrich Nepali cinema. ‘Reemai’ has brought a new dimension to Nepali films. While films have been made in the Gurung language about the Gurung people, a mainstream Nepali-language film based on Gurung stories had not been made until now.”
Presented by Gorkha Siranchok & Ligligkot Films Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Roteping Entertainment, the film stars Dayahang Rai, Arpan Thapa, Rishma Gurung, Gaumaya Gurung, Kavita Ale Magar, Mao Tse Gurung, Pushkar Gurung, Birmaya Gurung, Birbal Ghale, DB Gurung, Tek Gurung, along with child actors Asim Subba, Prestu Gurung, and Prashna Rana Magar, among others.
The film is directed by Khil Bahadur Gurung, with the screenplay written by poet and director Upendra Subba. Cinematography is by Shailendra Dhoj Karki. The executive producer is Birbal Ghale, while Tika Gurung, Jit Yatri Gurung, and Dun Bahadur Ghale are producers. Binu Gurung, Roshan Bhattarai, and Rajesh Ghimire are co-producers.
The film features music by Deepak Sharma and Thaneshwor Gautam, assistant direction by Kiran Chamling Rai, production management by Bishnu Mainali, and editing by Mitra D. Gurung.
