Mankala: A Fresh Nepali Web Series Capturing Love, Identity and Diaspora Life

A vibrant new voice has emerged in Nepali digital storytelling with the web series Mankala, produced by New Envision Production. Set in the cosmopolitan landscape of New York City, Mankala brings a deeply relatable yet fresh perspective on love, cultural expectation, and the complex journey of finding oneself far from home.

Mankala follows the life of a 30‑year‑old Nepali woman navigating the emotionally charged terrain of modern relationships while living in the United States. At the heart of the story is her struggle to balance family expectations, cultural traditions, and personal desire for autonomy and authentic love. The series engages with universal questions about identity, belonging, and the modern dating world: framed through the lens of the Nepali diaspora experience.

The pilot episode, titled “Maybe Her First Date,” kicks off with a simple yet evocative premise: an ordinary encounter, a quiet evening, and a choice that might change everything. This setup gently introduces viewers to the emotional landscape and internal dilemmas of the protagonist.

Created and directed by Om Raj Raut in collaboration with Pramod Bishwokarma, Mankala features an ensemble of rising talents including Ayusha Sanjel Chhetri, Meen Bhandari, Liza Paudel, Lhakpa Dolma, and the director Om Raj Raut himself. The production team blends Nepali storytelling with an international backdrop, bringing diverse creative energy to the screen.

Following the success of the pilot, Mankala has released Episode 2, titled “Faking It, Feeling It!” on YouTube. This latest installment continues to explore themes of emotional authenticity and interpersonal dynamics: this time diving deeper into how the protagonist navigates moments of ambiguity in relationships while maintaining her personal and cultural identity.

The official YouTube upload confirms that the series continues to gain traction among Nepali viewers worldwide, underscoring the growing appetite for digital content that speaks to cross‑cultural experiences.

Mankala is part of a broader trend of Nepali creatives expanding the narrative scope of Nepali media beyond traditional film and television formats. By situating its story in New York and tackling universal themes through a Nepali perspective, the series appeals to both local and global audiences. It reflects a generation that is connected digitally and emotionally across borders, making stories like this both timely and culturally significant.