KATHMANDU:-  Nepali film ‘Kaji’, based on social issues and a love story, has been showing since last Jestha 8, (May 22). The film, which presents a story of love, dedication, and relationship within the social structure of the time of 2045 BS, features actor Bipin Karki as ‘Kaji’ and actress Keki Adhikari as his wife ‘Kajini’.

Orphaned in childhood, Kaji makes his world of the wife he gets in an arranged marriage. In one scene, Kaji speaks the dialogue, “My father and mother are all my wives (cousins),” which reveals the love Kaji has for his cousin. The love shown in the film involves sacrifice, tolerance, and silent acceptance.

As much as the love between husband and wife is shown, there is also social pressure created. The lack of children to carry on the lineage creates conflict in the film. Kazi is advised by his uncle to get married again, but he says that he cannot think of anything other than his wife.

However, the film takes a new turn with the entry of Garima Sharma, the sister-in-law of Kaji, the cousin. When rumors spread that the relationship between Kaji and his sister-in-law could lead to marriage, Kaji plans to lie. She does not want to lose Kaji under any circumstances. The film ‘Kaji’ seems to be trying to communicate with the audience within this ideological conflict. In the film, actor Bipin Karki has portrayed the Kazi in a non-traditional but loving manner.

“We have shown a character who can love even this much and who can love even this much. In this film, it is shown how far my character can go after considering his wife as his world. This is a love story that will remain immortal,” said actor Karki.

He became a Qazi because he comes from a Kazi family, but he is simple. Actor Karki has played the character who helps the villagers in every problem. Actress Keki Adhikari said that every woman would want a husband like ‘Kazi’.

He said, “This is a love story of selfless dedication. The current generation also has this kind of love and after watching the movie, you will feel like you are in love. It shows that the selfless love of a husband and wife is above society.”

Although director Laxman Rijal has adapted a simple and touching story into a film through a screenplay, the screenplay itself is the weakest part. Kazi is a respected and innocent character in his village. He has a unique status in the settlement established by his father. However, the audience may lose patience when the events shown in the film or the screenplay flow in the same rhythm.

Seeing the same scenes and style over and over again can feel dull. Also, the audience may feel sad when the main character runs away from the problems seen in the movie. That is, one might expect Kaji to fight for the relationship that Kaji is trying to maintain by lying. However, the simple path Kaji chooses does not create conflict in it. Although, in a scene that comes up sometime early in the film, the Kazi has already informed his uncle and aunt about the decision he will take if the cousin is uncomfortable. However, the film’s main weakness is that the characters have to face the problem by choosing an easy path.

Another unforgettable aspect of ‘Kazi’ is its music and background sound. Its strong point is the cinematography. Cinematographer Chintan Raj Bhandari has artistically presented the time more than three decades ago. He has accurately depicted the time of lanterns or small lamps in the absence of electricity.

The character of Kazi (Bipin Karki) is the epitome of an ‘ideal lover’. ‘Kazi’ is a film that can be a pleasure to the eyes for a while while watching it, the acting of the actors can captivate the mind, but the message given and the main conflict can make the audience sad when they are weak. Overall, the film ‘Kazi’ is as strong technically as it is beautiful and lively in terms of acting. The screenplay is equally weak.