KATHMANDU, Oct 2: Nepali film producers and artistes have protested the ban enforced by the CPN-Maoist on the screening of Hindi movies in theatres across the country.

At an interaction organized at the Reporters Club on Tuesday, Ashok Sharma, director and artiste said Nepali movies cannot be promoted by banning Hindi movies. “The government should protect Nepali movies by offering tax concessions and formulating other regulations,” said Sharma.

Ghansyham Khatiwada, secretary of Nepal Film Artistes´ Association, said Nepali movies can compete with Hindi movies only if we improve on quality.

Similarly, Pradip Udaya, general secretary of Nepal Film Association, said the ban on Hindi movies alone would not promote Nepali movies. “If we focus on quality we will not need to ban Hindi movies to promote Nepali movies,” said Udaya.

However, Nepal Film Producers Association has expressed solidarity with the CPN-Maoist´s decision. “We have expressed solidarity with the Maoist´s movement,” said Raj Kumar Rai, chairman of the association.

Govt warns CPN-Maoist
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Communications Rajkishor Yadav has warned the CPN-Maoist of action if the party continues to enforce the ban on Hindi movies. “CPN-Maoist has protested against Hindi movies to draw the government´s attention. We request the CPN-Maoist to come for talks,” said Yadav. Yadav said that as films should not be linked with any language or country. He also said that the government is ready to support Nepali movies and make it competitive. -Credit to myrepublica !