Sunkesari, A film by Arpan Thapa
“Sunkesari rani, sabaibhanda sani……”; The background score was thrilling indeed but the movie?
Sunkesari, a Nepali horror movie released after quite a time in theaters last week. Firstly, Nepali horror movies are made very rarely. There are just handful of the movies from this category, but then, they haven’t really met the viewer’s expectation till date. Because of this very reason, most of the Nepali people were excited than ever for this one.
Secondly, when it comes to the names like Reecha Sharma and Arpan Thapa as a producer and director respectively in Nepali movie industry, the serious Nepali movie followers don’t take them lightly. They are indeed huge names and it’s an obvious fact that audience would expect a lot from them.
But, did ‘Sunkesari’, the first attempt with a horror movie by this team become successful in scaring the viewers or did it leave them with dissatisfaction yet again?
The impact on the viewers
Well, in my case, since the trailer was released, I was waiting for it to arrive in theaters. Horror movies really interest me (even though I get scared by little things 😀) and it was featuring none other than Reecha Sharma. The ‘Talakjung vs Tulke’ actress has been my favorite since a long time. I got enough reasons to wait for Sunkesari. I guess, lots of movie lovers out there were also desperate to get scared in the theaters, like me.
However, after watching the movie on its releasing date (which I have never done), I somehow was disappointed. There were things that were really nice and well displayed but, were outnumbered by the things that actually dissatisfied me (maybe it’s the same with other viewers as well). It was like the movie was missing something; something spicy that could deliver the exact taste of a horror movie.
Disappointing things of Sunkesari
As per my review, here I some points I noted down, which might have taken the movie towards a wrong path:
- The starting:
The very first scene of the movie was not quite comprehensible. Yes! It was creating a storyline about how the supernatural beings came into play but, it was not as intelligible as it should have been. - The missing of a decent story and script:
I don’t know if everyone thinks the same or not but even a horror movie should have a decent story. It’s a horror movie, but, it doesn’t mean that you start the movie straight by creaking the doors and give the vibes of ghost from the very beginning. Maybe a better story would have satisfied the viewers a bit more. - The Sunny Dhakal (Rupen) and Lauren Lofberg (Emma)’s story:
Viewers must have been excited with the inclusion of a foreign character, Lauren in the movie. But, it didn’t happen to enjoy them as much as expected. Maybe the story and the role she has been provided didn’t help her. And that love song featuring these two actors just came out of nowhere. It was totally an unnecessary stuff. Didn’t enthrall viewers by any means.
- The horror scenes:
It would be very ungracious to say this but the horror scenes that were meant to scare the audience didn’t really become successful. Why do the ghosts in every movie bang the doors and pull the blankets? Aren’t they really tired of doing the same things? Would be offensive but some scenes made to scare people were actually funny. - The ending:
The very last scene of the movie featuring Rupen and Emma was a bit confusing. I somehow guessed that it might be the revenge taken by the supernatural beings but, many of the viewers might have confused and at the same time annoyed by the same.
Things to appreciate in Sunkesari
Sunkesari might have forced the audience to leave the theater with disapproving chit-chat without having a full-fledged taste of a Nepali horror film. Nonetheless, there were some factors that were appreciable enough. The below listed things are again as per my individual review.
- The background music:
The two lines of the song (written in the very first line of this article) was thrilling indeed. Also, I found the background music being played during the movie to be scary enough for a horror movie. Kudos to Noble Freaks for the background music and Sunaya Man Shrestha for sound mixing. - Mr. Rabindra Jha’s act:
More than being scared by the horror scenes, I am quite sure that the viewers enjoyed the funny acts played by Mr. Jha in the movie. The rising comedian in Nepali movie industry (already recognized in Jatra and Dui Rupaiya) is going to have a great time in coming days.
- The makeup:
Who might not be fascinated by the poster design of Sunkesari? The horror makeup of Reecha Sharma and the supernatural beings is just too impressive. Kudos to Kaniz Haseena for the makeup and hair task. - The effort of the team:
Even though the movie was an average one, we must not forget to applaud and appreciate the effort that the Reecha Sharma-Arpan Thapa team made to deliver a horror Nepali movie to us. The first attempt of the team, that too in Australia was an audacious act. The location (Australian Palace) was superb.
In a nutshell,
Those who expected too much from the movie will be disappointed; the conjuring fans will be totally devastated and will even think twice before going for a Nepali horror movie in future but the well-wishers of Nepali movies will still appreciate the effort of the cast and crew.
Maybe the ending scene of the movie suggested that the second part will be made. I wish that will not leave us anything to throw any disappointments.
P.S. One wicket down doesn’t mean that the team will lose the game. Reecha Sharma – Arpan Thapa will still be big names in Nepali movie industry.
