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A significant number of individuals from the older generation, including Surya Prasad Koirala, have returned to Nepal from foreign employment due to various reasons. Now back home, they are contemplating engaging in activities in their villages. As a result, the idea of establishing a cooperative arises.
Surya Prasad plans to open a cooperative through which every village can contribute one rupee each for savings and provide loans at low interest rates. By building a positive image in a short period, Surya Prasad’s successful venture captures the interest of Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News. He assigns all responsibilities of the cooperative to Chandrakaji Gurung and focuses on his political aspirations. Winning local elections, he gains power and manipulates the cooperative for personal gain, affecting employees and the general public, which Khatri finds concerning.
Starting from Jestha 30, a film titled ‘Mahabhoj’ has been showcased nationwide, highlighting the story of cooperative exploitation. Directed by Dinesh Raut, the film sheds light on the prevalent issues surrounding cooperatives and aims to raise awareness through contemporary social issues portrayed in the movie.
The film emphasizes the struggles of cooperative victims and aims to start a dialogue about the harsh realities they face. The narrative unfolds the societal divisions and the emotional toll experienced by cooperative victims, resonating with the audience. The film’s success lies in presenting the real-life stories of ordinary people in a compelling manner.
‘Mahabhoj’ delves into the daily lives, poverty, and family dynamics in rural areas with a strong focus on storytelling, geography, and environmental context. The actors’ performances align with the storyline, capturing the audience’s attention throughout the film. The absence of songs in recent Nepali films is a growing trend, but ‘Mahabhoj’ includes a dance sequence along with a song at the end, adding a different dimension to the narrative.
The movie portrays various family dynamics, humor, family conflicts, and cultural traditions in a straightforward manner. By elevating the positive aspects of cooperatives, the film addresses the urgent need to rectify the negative aspects, prompting viewers to be vigilant.
Despite some shortcomings, the film effectively captures the audience’s attention, portraying cooperative exploitation in a relatable yet engaging manner. The message of the film resonates with the general public, urging those who have saved but not received returns to remember the betrayal they faced.
Supreme Cooperative Victims Struggle Committee Coordinator, Vijay Nepal, mentions that there are thousands of cooperative victims in Nepal, and the 2084 elections will shed light on the prevalent situation. He believes that the scenes of cooperative victims’ struggle seen in Butwal, Nepal, could further enhance the film’s impact.
The development of the cooperative story in the movie was penned by Suvedi, featuring Aryal Sigdel as the cooperative operator Surya Prasad, and Dayahang Rai in the role of the new operator Chandrakaji. Kagenra Lamichhane and Anjana Baraili depicted the cooperative victims Shriman-Shrimati. The film also features acting by Mallika Mahat as a cooperative employee, along with Gauri Gurung, Mohan Niraula, Basundhara Bhusal, Kamalmani Nepal, and Buddhi Tamang.
The name ‘Mahabhoj’ intrigues viewers, as understanding the hour and fifty-minute long film becomes challenging even after watching it.
Ramesh Khatri from Kansai Nepal News appreciates the film’s portrayal of cooperative exploitation and suggests that it could be further improved to have a more significant impact.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: June 24, 2025 12:00 am
