"It's not just the pain of Karnali that ‘Sitamol’ shows, it also points to a path of solution: Director"

Kathmandu — Set to release nationwide on Shrawan 23 (August 7), the Nepali film *Sitamol* is rooted in the social and economic realities of the Karnali region. Featuring Saugat Malla and Benisha Hamal in lead roles, the film aims not to "sell" the poverty of Karnali, but rather to explore and highlight pathways to solutions, according to director Raj Bahadur Sane.

“We’re not trying to market poverty as a ‘product’,” Sane clarified. “We’re trying to raise awareness by highlighting the problems and seeking solutions.”

Born in Jumla, Sane shared that the film is shaped by the realities he experienced since childhood. “I’ve seen and endured the pain of three generations — this film is a blend of those experiences,” he said.

According to him, although the expansion of infrastructure in Karnali has brought some relief, the challenges of remoteness remain. “In the past, people had to herd sheep just to get salt,” he recalled. “Today, some roads have been built, agricultural systems have changed, production has improved, but Karnali is still far from being part of the mainstream of development.”

Sane shared that traveling from Jumla to Kalikot can sometimes feel as daunting as going abroad. *Sitamol* is centered on the post-people’s war period, particularly the socio-economic conditions that arose after the integration of the Maoist People's Liberation Army. During the conflict, many villagers were displaced — some mentally, others physically or socially. Reintegration after the war was not easy, and this struggle forms the core narrative of the film.

Directed by Raj Bahadur Sane, *Sitamol* stars Saugat Malla and Benisha Hamal, alongside Shree Krishna Niraula, Januka Bishwakarma, Lokendra Lekhak, Bhugol Karki, Hiunwala Gautam, Sushil Pokharel, Dinesh Regmi, RR Khadka, Gyanu Malla, Pawan Bhattarai, Kajal Bhujel, and child actors Karan Nepali and Aradhya Rajyalaxmi DC. This film marks the silver screen debut of Shree Krishna and Januka.

Produced by Tulsi Devi Film Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Juntara Films, the story is co-written by Pradeep Bhardwaj and director Sane. Presented by Simosh Sunuwar, the film’s producers are Bhugol Kumar Karki and Bikash Raj Joshi. Apsara Nepali, Ajay Malla, and Kumar KC are executive producers, with Gangaram Shrestha as co-producer.

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