Film Review of 'Jhola'

                            Film Review of 'Jhola'

     Jhola is a traditional art movie based on a book of same name written by Krishna Dharabasi, produced on the banner of Media for Culture for Private limited and directed by Yadav Kumar Bhattrai, this movie features Nepali famous actors and actress like Garima Pantha, Deepak chhetri, Laxmi Giri, Sujal Nepal, Prahlad Khatiwada and Desh Bhakta Khanal in lead roles. The script of the movie was written by late Deepak Alok. The movie was produced after 10 years of extensive research on 'Satee Pratha' that existed in Nepal about a century ago and deals with the same ritual.

       The film portrays the climax of violence and cruelty against women in the name of 'Satee Pratha'. In the film a young girl, Kanchi (Garima Pantha) gets married with an old man, Deepak Chhetri who is old enough to be her grandfather shortly afterwards, he passes away, and as a rule, Kanchi has to sacrifice her life sitiing on the burning pyre of her husband. The neighbors of the society turned indifferent to the lamenation of young son ghanashyam Luckily, however, the time of cremation turns out to be night time which allows the widow to escape away from the pyre of her husband. Later on, Ghanashyam finds his mother hiding in a cave. Although she asked her son to keep her survival as a secret, he discloses the news to his aunt (Laxmi Giri). Forgetting the past disputes with Kanchi she becomes kind enough to send her some clothes and food stuffs. She also arranges her journey across the border.

       Though the film leaves enough room for improvement it has many strengths. The scene included in it are realistic. Cinematography, attire and background music are the best aspect of the film. The acting of the characters particularly that of Garima Pantha and Ghanashyam is heart rending. All in all, the film is still relevant in the context of Nepal because violence against woman persist in various forms though Satee Pratha has become a matter of past.