11th July,2024
Kathmandu – A line of vehicles stands ahead of pilot Vijay Lama, hinting that perhaps an accident has occurred. He looks tense, alongside actress Diya Pun, as the two sprint forward. Ahead, it appears that a car and a milk-laden bicycle might have collided. Just as the tension builds, the scene falls apart and the director yells “Cut!” Once again, Lama and Pun repeat the same sprint, reaching the crash site, only for something to go wrong and the director to call “Cut!” again.
This was a typical day on the set of the Nepali science-fiction film Eklo. The entire day revolved around capturing just one two-minute shot, but it took over six hours to get it right.
Recently, in Panauti, Kavre, the production team spent a full day filming a “one-shot” scene – a continuous, uncut two-minute sequence. The challenge wasn’t just the lead actors; extras portraying bystanders, moving vehicles, and precise timing had to align perfectly. Any small mistake meant restarting from scratch.
According to the film’s executive producer, Binod Subedi Kshitiz, completing this one-shot sequence took six full hours. “Such scenes demand intense planning and precision. This particular shot was even more demanding due to the many elements involved,” Kshitiz said.
Directed by Pradeep Shahi, Eklo stands apart for its ambitious scale and demanding production style. Shahi himself was seen tirelessly managing every detail on set, pushing to create a film that promises to break new ground in Nepali cinema.
Eklo is a science-fiction film led by actor Pradeep Khadka, with supporting roles by Vijay Lama, Diya Pun, Kavita Nepali, Jamie Bacon, Benisha Hamal, among others. The teaser, released recently, showcased character looks for the main cast. The film has also been presented at the Cannes Film Festival Market.
While principal photography took place in Nepal, post-production is currently underway in the United Kingdom. A joint Nepal-UK venture, the movie tells a fictional story about a deadly virus forcing humanity to abandon Earth by 2030. Sixty years later, British astronaut Jack (played by Bacon) crash-lands in the Himalayas with his team.
Positioned as one of the most unique projects in Nepali cinema to date, Eklo is expected to captivate audiences when it hits theaters this upcoming Poush (December/January).
