Saugat Malla on ‘Jante Bakhro’: “I Got to Truly Build My Character”

Kathmandu : Celebrated actor Saugat Malla, widely known for his intense and versatile performances, is stepping into a rare romantic role in the upcoming film Jante Bakhro. Known for breathing life into every character he portrays, Malla reveals that this film allowed him the space and time to deeply understand and build a role that reflects both his craft and personal connection to rural traditions.

“In Jante Bakhro, I play a character that’s different from my usual roles,” Malla shared. “I truly enjoy doing romantic roles, and this film gave me the opportunity to explore that side while also resonating with my own personality.”

He emphasized that the film stands out because of the time he had to develop his role. “It’s difficult to jump into another film immediately after finishing one. But here, I had time to study, shape, and live the character.”

Set against the backdrop of rural Nepal, Jante Bakhro revives the fading tradition of serving wedding feasts on tapari (leaf plates), a custom deeply rooted in Nepali culture. Malla shared that working on the film reminded him of his own childhood experiences, helping out at wedding feasts in his village.

“Back then, we used to prepare meals at weddings with friends. We’d eat on banana leaves and enjoy the entire community coming together. This film brought back so many fond memories.”

According to Malla, the term Jante Bakhro refers to two types of wedding feasts: one hosted by the bride’s family for the groom’s side on their return journey and the other organized by the groom’s family after bringing the bride home. The film revolves around these culturally rich customs, offering both nostalgia and entertainment for modern audiences.

Directed by Simosh Sunuwar and written by Pradeep Bhardawaj, the film stars Saugat Malla alongside Ashif Shah, Garima Sharma, Rama Thapaliya, Lokendra Lekhak, Kamal Devkota, Bishal Pahadi, Rusha Neupane, Kusum Sharma, and Samapika Gautam. The project is produced by Santosh Gautam.

Jante Bakhro is set to release this Friday, Jestha 23 (June 6, 2025), and promises to entertain while highlighting the beauty of Nepali village life and tradition.