Basudev

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Harihar Sharma as the eponymous Professor Basudev Kattel, an honest man who struggles to make ends meet raising his family in Kathmandu
• Shakuntala Sharma as Sabitri, Basudev’s supportive wife, a homemaker, and mother of three
• Neer Shah as Kumar, a corrupt businessman, Basudev’s friend who later turns the main antagonist
• Subhadra Adhikari as Anjana, Kumar’s wife
• Krishna Malla as Prem, Basudev’s eldest son, a taxi driver
• Sharmila Shah as Sangita, Kumar, and Anjana’s daughter
• Chandra Mala Sharma
• Hari Bansha Acharya
• Madan Krishna Shrestha
• Ram Chandra Adhikari as supporting actor

Storyline:

The film follows Basudev Kattel, an honest teacher struggling to support his family in Kathmandu amidst widespread corruption. As he navigates the challenges of poverty and societal pressures, Basudev’s life becomes intertwined with that of his friend Kumar (played by Neer Shah), a corrupt businessman who eventually becomes the main antagonist. The story explores themes of integrity, friendship, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in a corrupt society.

About Movie:

Basudev is a Nepali film directed by Neer Shah, marking his directorial debut. The film is adapted from Dhruba Chandra Gautam’s novel Kattel Sarko Chotpatak and features a cast that includes Harihar Sharma as the titular character, Basudev Kattel, alongside Shakuntala Sharma, Subhadra Adhikari, Krishna Malla, Sharmila Malla, and Neer Shah himself in supporting roles. Notable guest appearances include Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya.

Basudev was both a critical and commercial success upon its release. It is considered one of the best examples of realistic Nepali cinema and is recognized for raising awareness of social issues. Critics noted that while the film strayed from the source material, it still managed to resonate with audiences. Dhruba Chandra Gautam initially expressed disappointment over the deviations from his original script but later acknowledged the film’s merits in adapting to the cinematic medium.

The film is remembered as a significant milestone in Nepali cinema, particularly for its focus on domestic storytelling. It is also notable for being one of the first films to adapt a locally written script rather than relying on Bollywood influences. The popular song “Yatri,” adapted from a poem by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, remains highly acclaimed and is often associated with the film.

Neer Shah has indicated plans for a remake of Basudev, aiming to create a version that aligns more closely with his original artistic vision while addressing some of the compromises made during its initial production.