The film city under construction at Dangdunge Danda, Bhimeshwor Municipality-9, has been largely neglected, and it remains unclear when filming will begin at the government-built studio. Although construction began in 2011, less than 25 percent of the work has been completed.
Initially, the project was expected to cost Rs 12–13bn, with support from the Chinese government. However, a later government-led detailed study estimated the required investment at Rs 1.637bn. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report recommended allocating 3.52 percent of the total budget for tree plantation, conservation, and environmental monitoring to minimize the project’s ecological impact.
According to the report, 76.25 hectares of land would be required for the film city. This includes 64 hectares from Seti Devi Dadar Community Forest in Bhimeshwor Municipality-9, Dolakha, and 12 hectares from the Sindhupalchowk district. Although the full area is designated for indoor and outdoor filming, the main structures will occupy just 9.61 hectares. Back in 2011, when there were limited filming facilities in the country, locals of Dolakha had voluntarily offered 30–35 ropanis of land to support the initiative.
So far, three buildings—a cultural museum, an administrative block, and a guest house—have been constructed with a Rs 650m investment from the Bagmati Province government. While this initial infrastructure is in place, interest in the project has waned. Stakeholders argue that establishing a film city in such a scenic, high-altitude location could attract global filmmakers, bolster the national economy, and transform Dolakha into a prosperous hub for the Nepali film industry.
The proposed film city sits at an altitude between 2,800 and 3,400 meters. Located 105 kilometers east of Kathmandu, the area offers a favorable climate, abundant public land, minimal environmental damage, and enthusiastic local support—factors that stakeholders say make Dangdunge Danda an ideal site.
The location is home to over 50 species of flora and 14 types of ferns. Locals say that from Dangdunge Danda, one can view iconic landmarks such as Swayambhu and Phulchoki in Kathmandu, and mountain ranges including Rolwaling, Gaurishankar, Jugal, and Ganesh Himal. The site also overlooks about 60 percent of Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Solukhumbu, Ramechhap, and Okhaldhunga districts.
The Government of Nepal had earlier introduced a public-private partnership model for the project. Under the Companies Act, the Film Development Board prepared a framework to invite investment from government, local, and foreign stakeholders. However, both the Ministry of Communications and the Film Development Board have been criticized for failing to move the project forward.
Madandas Shrestha, coordinator of the Film City Construction Committee, expressed concern that the infrastructure already built might go to waste. “It is unfortunate for the people of Dolakha that construction work has stalled. It is time for local stakeholders. This is not just a development project for Dolakha—it is a national pride project. It’s disheartening to see initiatives that could benefit the entire country being stalled,” he said.
Shrestha accused the Film Development Board of negligence and blamed the government for its lack of commitment. He believes there is growing government disinterest in completing the film city in Dolakha. However, he said if the land was given to the local government, Dolakha people could complete the project themselves.
The governments of Mauritius and China had previously expressed interest in supporting the project, as showcased at the International Investment Summit. “We don’t oppose the government’s plan to build a film city in Kavre. Let film cities be built across Nepal. Let development flourish. But the infrastructure already built should not be left to decay,” Shrestha added.
