This week has been a fearful one, not just because of the rise of the new and updated Omicron coronavirus variant but also because there have been a string of announcements of soon-to-be released Nepali films—and I may have to watch a few of them. “Chapali Height 3” is all set to clash with “Spiderman: No Way Home” on December 17 and, by the looks of the former’s tasteless poster and uninspiring trailer, we know which one will barely make it through the week. And add South Indian film star Allu Arjun’s “Pushpa: The Rise” to be released on the same day and you’ll all understand what risky business is going on in Kollywood with films completed way before the pandemic set to be released now. 

Another “big release” coming soon to Nepali theaters is “Lappan Chhappan 2”, which was initially set for April 9 this year. The star-cast features accomplished actors like Saugat Malla, Arpan Thapa, and the legendary Shiva Shrestha, so it was bound to grab attention. That attention took me to its prequel—the 2017 film “Lappan Chhappan” that’s available for free on YouTube on the HighlightsNepal channel. 

When a film’s sequel is made, one expects the original to be above average. What’s the point of making a sequel to something that’s not successful in the first place? But our filmmakers seem to have a whole different train of thought. I think Nepali film sequels are based more on how much funding the producers can get instead of what the story actually demands. 

But the Nepali gangster movie does give a hint that there’s another film in the making at the climax. Directed by Mukunda Bhatta, Lappan Chhappan is a heist-themed gangster film with multiple characters in the limelight. And when there are multiple actors in a criminal movie, they are bound to collide and double-cross each other to emerge victors. 

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So Lappan Chhappan carries the same theme of gangsters, wannabe gangsters, rivals and the police trying to outfox each other. Banka Guru (Saugat Malla) is a dangerous criminal hiding in Belgium after murdering a minister in Nepal. Banka’s associate Chamero Don (Arpan Thapa) meanwhile runs the gang’s operations in Nepal. Baby (Barsha Siwakoti) comes to Nepal and hires a couple of hackers (Devu Shrestha and Sid Kharel) to pull off a digital heist. Meanwhile, Tanke (Dayahang Rai), one of Chamero’s henchmen, seems to have bigger goals than what we are initially given to believe.

Too many characters, including the ones I’ve not named, and too few backstories, were my first thought while watching the film. Right from the start, the film layers up character after character but without the audience getting any time to connect to even one. Like we know Banka comes from a normal middle-class family and is now one of the biggest criminals in Nepal—but how did he get to being that? There’s a small explanation on how he turns out to be eccentric but that is unconvincing as well. Also, the two hackers who play an important role in the film have literally no significant presence even though they contribute to major twists and turns. 

With its weak writing and direction, one can't help but feel for the actors who have tried to put up their best performances but there’s only so much they can do. Lappan Chhappan is mostly shot in Belgium (with some bits in Switzerland) but as the camera is too busy following the characters, the film fails to make use of the aesthetic locations. Might have well shot the whole thing in Chovar and nobody would have noticed.

Who should watch it?

Lappan Chhappan is kind of difficult to like or watch till the end. It’s like watching a toddler draw a landscape. You know what they’re trying to do but you also know they will not execute it well—but you’ll still have to clap for them in the end. Well, that’s what the Nepali filmmakers want us to do and if you don’t mind celebrating mediocrity, you might as well enjoy Lappan Chhappan. 

Lappan Chhappan

Rating: 2 stars
Genre: Crime, action
Director: Mukunda Bhatta
Cast: Saugat Malla, Arpan Thapa, Barsha Siwakoti, Dayahang Rai