‘Aarakshan’ sees different aarakshan in Nepal

Kathmandu: While Bollywood director Prakash Jha`s new film ‘Aarakshan,’ based on India`s system of seat reservations for the disadvantaged Dalit community in educational institutions, has triggered controversy in the subcontinent, its release in Nepal Friday saw a different kind of reservation. For the owners of the Jai Nepal multiplex in Kathmandu, one of the swankiest theatres in the Nepali capital, Friday night saw spectacular business with all seats for the evening show sold out. This was due to a chapter of the Rotary Club booking the hall for a charity show to raise money for medical treatment. The Rotary Club of Durbarmarg has begun a fund donation drive to raise money for patients who need blood for major surgeries but can`t afford the tests required to see if the donor`s blood group and the recipient`s are compatible. Cancer specialist Rajendra Baral, who also heads the Durbarmarg chapter of the club, said seed money of NRS.70,000 (a little less than Rs.45,000) had been raised from the charity show. Despite occasional brushes with censors, Bollywood films remain one of the most popular fund-raisers for charitable projects in Nepal. While ‘Aarakshan’ has been banned in some Indian states, it has received medium acclaim in Nepal so far. However, Jha`s earlier release in Nepal, ‘Raajneeti’ starring Katrina Kaif, was well received with Nepal`s leading politicians also turning up to watch the film on politics. One of the most popular Nepali films of 2010, ‘Bato muni ko phool’ (The flower by the roadside) directed by Suroj Subba was on the issue of untouchability. IANS