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Pradhumna Mishra has been a cinephile for as long as he can remember. He grew up near Jai Nepal Hall, where he would go regularly to watch movies—lots and lots of movies. Exposure to the world of cinema at a young age fuelled and shaped his desire to become a part of it. At home he had his father, a singer and songwriter, to nurture his artistic dream. Mishra’s obsession with films grew stronger as he got older. He used to spend countless hours watching movies, absorbing the nuances of filmmaking. “A film should be more than just the plotline or the stars,” says Mishra, who wishes cinema audiences to be more receptive, so that they could find deeper appreciation for the films they watch. As a schoolboy, Mishra expressed his creativity by writing, producing and performing plays. He was particularly good at dancing, a skill that helped him land his first job as a dance and drama teacher. Besides instructing students and staging shows in schools, he was also involved in various cultural groups. Mishra went on to serve as the vice president of Shiva Shakti Cultural Group, which he had joined as a student, and the managing director of Narsingha Cultural Group. It was around this time, he also picked an interest in photography and videography. “I taught myself the basics before I took a formal class,” says Mishra. He cut his teeth in cinematography at Nepal Television. “It was a place that allowed me to put everything I had learned into practice and refine my skills.” Before joining NTV in 2003, Mishra had worked as the chief assistant cameraman for the hit TV show ‘Hostel.’ Working for TV provided a good foundation for Mishra, as he got to work in different formats from teleserials to documentaries to music videos and commercials. He directed music videos like ‘Pashupatima Kamala’ and ‘Malaipani Chaiyo Mobile’ that were hits during their time. He also created and produced reality shows such as ‘Super Acting Competition,’ ‘The Band Bhaskar,’ and ‘School Dancing Champion,’ on NTV and NTV Plus. “Back then, reality shows were not even popular in India,” says Mishra proudly. “Super Acting Competition produced brilliant actors like Raj Ballav Koirala, Sandeep Chhetri, Gambhir Bista, Gajit Bista, and Shreejana Subba.” Mishra also produced and directed ‘Pahichhan’, a talk show focusing on the plights of the LGBTIQA+ community. It was while doing this talk show that he was inspired to make a short film about the queer community of Nepal. The result was ‘Blue Flower,’ a short film that Mishra co-directed with Sunil Babu Pant, a prominent gay rights activist and former lawmaker. From capturing breathtaking visuals as a cinematographer to bringing his creative vision to life as a director and producer, Mishra has left his mark on the Nepali film industry. His works on documentaries and films such as ‘Under the Secret Tree,’ ‘Family Tree (The Birth of Buddha),’ and ‘Aryaghat’ showcase his technical expertise and cinematic flair. He has also worked on films like ‘Avatar’, ‘Haude’, and critically acclaimed ‘Dhulo’. Mishra won the Best National Jury Choice Film Award for ‘Dhulo’ at the 3rd Nepal International Film Festival.  At the latest iteration of the film festival, he won the best director award for the film ‘Dubidha’. His works have also received international recognition, including at the Hollywood Gold Award, Florence Film Award, New York Movie Award, and Paris Film Award. “Dhulo has received good views on YouTube, but the film didn’t perform that well in theaters. One of the reasons for this is that we have to compete with the overwhelming presence of Bollywood movies,” says Mishra, who wished the moviegoing audience were more discerning who gave equal preference to experimental and independent films. He advises aspiring filmmakers to be patient, hardworking and, above all, bold. “You can learn and copy from great filmmakers, but you have to make your film your own. Do not run after commercial success, make films that represent Nepali society and culture,” he says. “Be original and always give your best, but don’t have high expectations.” Mishra believes a good filmmaker must have patience, curiosity and a passion for storytelling.

As a fan of the Luther TV series, I was excited to see Idris Elba reprise his role as DCI John Luther in the film continuation ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun.’ Released on Netflix recently, the crime thriller film directed by Jamie Payne and written by Neil Cross didn’t disappoint. The movie opens with a gripping and suspenseful introduction, giving the audience a glimpse of what’s to come. We are introduced to David Robey, played by the remarkable Andy Serkis, a wealthy trader and a serial killer. Robey’s meticulously planned and gruesome crimes catch the attention of DCI John Luther, who is assigned to the case. However, things take a turn for the worse when Robey digs up dirt on Luther’s past and gets him fired, prosecuted, and imprisoned. Years later, Robey re-emerges and begins a new killing spree. He coaxes the parents of his victims to a house where he burns their children’s corpses. This sets the stage for the rest of the film, where Luther must race against time to apprehend Robey and bring him to justice. The story is engaging and keeps the audience on edge until the end. While the film isn’t a suspenseful ‘whodunit’ as the audience already knows the perpetrator beforehand, it still maintains a steady pace throughout, making it more of a cat-and-mouse story where the audience journeys with Luther to catch the perpetrator with the evidence. Despite being an absolute thriller, some audiences may find the story a bit predictable though. There are moments in the film where one can feel they have watched the particular plot before. The film in no way compares to the TV series. The film’s strength lies in its compelling performances. Idris Elba once again delivers a charismatic and intense portrayal of DCI John Luther, who is haunted by his past and struggles to make peace with his conscience. His performance captures Luther’s inner turmoil and determination with subtlety and intensity, which is a delight to watch. However, it’s Andy Serkis who steals the show as the unhinged serial killer, David Robey. Serkis channels his inner Joker and delivers a rather creepy performance. Despite rocking a rather questionable and distracting wig, Serkis still manages to turn in an impressive performance that leaves a lasting impact. One thing I particularly appreciate about the film was how it projects violence without visually showing a lot of blood and gore. This approach lets the audience focus more on the character, story, and plot than being visually simulated with violent scenes. The film’s supporting cast also delivers strong performances, with Cynthia Erivo playing DCI Odette Raine, the new head of Serious and Serial Crime, and Dermot Crowley as retired DSU Martin Schenk, who provides Luther with valuable insights and assistance. The film’s cinematography and sound design are top-notch, with stunning visuals and immersive sound effects that enhance the film’s suspenseful and thrilling atmosphere. Luther’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, with an intense and haunting score that perfectly complements the film’s dark and gritty tone. Who should watch it? ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ is a well-executed crime thriller film that is a must-watch for fans of the Luther TV series. While the story may feel familiar at times, the film successfully maintains the tension and intrigue of the TV show while presenting a new and engaging storyline. The film’s compelling performances, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design make it a cinematic experience that shouldn’t be missed. While it may not be perfect, the film is still enjoyable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGK5qtXuc1Q Luther: The Fallen Sun Genre: Crime/thriller Rating: 3 stars Director: Jamie Payne Actors: Idris Alba, Andy Serkis Run time: 2hr 9mins

Preparations are underway for Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India. Although Dahal is yet to receive a formal invitation from India, his team expects it to arrive any day now and they are preparing accordingly. The prime minister’s trip will likely focus on enhancing the development partnership between Nepal and India. The Nepal-India relationship has witnessed several ups and downs at the highest political level in recent years. Contentious issues such as the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950, the Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) report, and border disputes have consistently figured in various levels of bilateral talks. These issues are likely to be raised during Dahal’s visit to India. Despite facing challenges and obstacles, connectivity and development projects between the two countries have made significant progress in the past decade. Officials say Prime Minister Dahal’s India trip could be centered on giving further momentum to these projects. Since the 1950s, the Indian government has been extending financial and technical assistance to Nepal for the implementation of large-scale development infrastructure and connectivity projects. These projects encompass various areas such as education, health, irrigation, and rural infrastructure. The 2022 Annual Report of the Ministry of External Affairs of India states that cross-border connectivity projects, such as rail links, roads, and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), are progressing well. During Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra's recent visit to Kathmandu, too, the two sides reviewed the projects and expressed satisfaction with the progress made. In recent years, Nepal and India have completed several major flagship projects, including the first-ever cross-border petroleum products pipeline in South Asia—from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal. The project was completed in 2019 and is already operational, facilitating the supply of petroleum products. Further discussions are underway to extend the pipeline to Chitwan in central Nepal, as well as to construct a new pipelines in eastern Nepal. Significant progress has been made in improving cross-border connectivity as well. Two Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), located at Birgunj and Biratnagar, are fully operational, facilitating the movement of approximately two million passengers and cargo traffic annually. Furthermore, additional ICPs are under construction, indicating the commitment to further enhancing cross-border trade and transportation. In the field of power transmission, three cross-border power transmission lines have been constructed, supplying 600 MW of electricity to Nepal, which has contributed to the development of the country's energy infrastructure. Road connectivity projects have also gained momentum, with India's assistance in the construction of 807 km out of the 1,024 km-long East-West Highway in Nepal. As of December 2022, all 14 Tarai road packages, completed under Indian assistance of Rs 5bn, have been handed over to Nepal. Several other roads are also under construction. Progress in the development of cross-border rail networks between Nepal and India has also been encouraging. The railway projects between the two countries include the operationalization of the Jayanagar-Bardibas cross-border section and Jogbani-Nepal customs yard rail section. In June 2022, a Bharat Gaurav train was flagged off, connecting the holy city of Janakpur in Nepal with Ramayana circuit locations in India. The Jayanagar-Kurtha stretch of the Jayanagar-Bardibas broad gauge project was also launched and operationalized in April 2022. There has been notable progress in the construction of a 136-km broad gauge electrified railway line that will connect Kathmandu with Raxaul. The Indian side has already completed the preliminary survey, and the location survey tasks are currently underway. It is worth mentioning that this railway line coincides with China's plan to construct the Kathmandu-Kerung railway line, for which a Chinese team is conducting a feasibility study. Likewise, there has been visible progress in bilateral energy cooperation. In 2022, the two countries signed a joint vision statement on power sector cooperation, outlining key pillars for collaboration. These include joint development of power generation projects in Nepal, cross-border transmission infrastructure, bi-directional power trade, coordinated operation of national grids, and institutional cooperation in sharing the latest operation information, technology, and know-how. Furthermore, hydropower projects being executed by Indian companies are progressing well. Large hydroelectric projects, such as Arun III (900 MW), Lower Arun (679 MW), Arun-4 (490 MW), West Seti and SR-6 (1200 MW), and Upper Karnali (900 MW), are currently being developed by Indian companies. In the past, there were criticisms regarding the sluggish progress of these projects, but they have picked up pace in the recent years. Prime Minister Dahal’s imminent India visit also comes at an exciting new development in Nepal. For the first time in history, Nepal has become energy surplus and even started exporting power to India. India has agreed to import more than 400 MW electricity from Nepal. To this end, Nepal exported power worth Rs 6bn in the summer of 2022. Likewise, there has been significant progress in the reconstruction projects after the 2015 earthquake. India extended $1bn to Nepal as part of its long-term assistance for post-earthquake reconstruction in housing, education, health, and cultural heritage sectors. The reconstruction work of over 130 hospitals/health centers, schools, and 28 cultural heritage sites in Nepal is currently underway. Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in exchange of high-level visits, which has greatly contributed to accelerating development projects. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, there have been 15 exchanges at the level of Head of State/Head of Government between Nepal and India since May 2014. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Nepal five times during his tenure, and prime ministers of Nepal have visited India eight times since Modi came to power. Modi was the first Indian prime minister to visit Nepal after 1997. His first trip to Nepal in 2014 and subsequent visits not only revived exchanges of high-level visits, but also acted as an impetus to long-pending development projects. The ties between the two countries did suffer a serious setback in the wake of the undeclared border blockade enforced by India in 2015 and the border curbs that were put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. But these issues did not stop the bilateral mechanisms between the two countries from holding their routine meetings. Currently, there are more than 40 bilateral mechanisms between Nepal and India. It is important to continue the development partnership between the two countries, irrespective of the political leadership at the top level.

The Policies and Programs of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led coalition government have made some promises on the diplomatic front, at a time of increasing turbulence in the immediate neighborhood and beyond. The points in the sections titled ‘Promotion of national independence and national interest’) and ‘International relations’ are as follows:

•         Border problems at Limpiadhura-Lipulek-Kalapani and other areas will be resolved through diplomatic engagements with neighbors. More border security outposts will be established for effective border management and regulation
•         Water resources policies will be effectively implemented. The resources will be utilized bilaterally and multi-laterally in the national interest
•         Foreign aid will be mobilized in national priority sectors
•         Treaties and agreements that are against national interest will be reviewed. New treaties and agreements will be signed as per the need
•         International relations will be conducted on the basis of the United Nations Charter, principles of non-alignment and Panchsheel and international laws for mutual interest and benefit
•         The policy of sovereign equality of nations and non-interference in internal affairs will be pursued. Necessary steps will be taken for guaranteeing the rights of landlocked countries
•         Relations with neighbors and other friendly nations will be further strengthened. Interdependence will be promoted by expanding the areas of cooperation
•         Economic diplomacy will be pursued to promote foreign investment for speeding up national economic development, increasing access to the international labor market, for marketization of Nepali products and development of Nepal as a tourist destination
•         Initiatives will be taken for cordiality at the regional level. Use of Nepali territories against any other country will not be allowed. Effective role will be played for making regional groupings like SAARC, BIMSTEC and IBBN more dynamic
•         Diplomatic initiatives will be taken for getting funds from Green Climate Fund, and Loss and Damage Fund through capacity building. An independent and balanced foreign policy will be adopted for the protection of national interest and prosperity of the people
•         National consensus will be forged for developing a coherent foreign policy