Swastima's "Lalibazar" Poster - Talk of the Town

Swastima’s “Lalibazar” Poster – Talk of the Town

Entertainment
The Buzz Nepal
June 29 , 2025

Nepali cinema fans got a striking glimpse of what’s to come with the release of the first-look poster of Lalibazar, the next directorial venture by Yam Thapa. Known for films like Rajja Rani and Kanchi, Thapa makes a comeback to directing after nearly five years – and he’s doing it with a story that promises to challenge social norms and spark conversation.

At the center of this buzz is actress Swastima Khadka, revealed in the poster with a bold and unconventional look. She appears visibly pregnant, dressed in a glittery outfit with dramatic makeup, standing pensively at a doorway. What’s especially intriguing is the absence of cultural markers of marriage like sindoor and mangalsutra. This deliberate visual choice hints at a layered character – possibly an unmarried mother or someone as a sex worker, adding emotional and social complexity to the role.

The film is set to release on Falgun 1, and production will begin shortly after the Dashain festival in Bardiya. While the full cast hasn’t been revealed yet, Swastima is the only confirmed lead so far. Director Thapa confirmed that the script is already complete, and casting is currently in progress.

Lalibazar is being produced under the banner of Shatkon Arts, the production house celebrated for the popular Jatra series. The film is backed by Rabindra Singh Baniya and Max Dipesh Khatri, with Pradip Bhattarai serving as executive producer. Thapa also recently penned the scripts for the films Paran and Anjila, cementing his place as a writer-director with a strong grasp of emotionally grounded storytelling.

Swastima, speaking about the role, said,

“This character is unlike anything I’ve played before. The poster alone says so much – I’m genuinely excited to dive into this story and bring her to life on screen.”

With a powerful visual reveal and a socially charged narrative on the horizon, Lalibazar is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films in the coming months.