A feature film based on the life and times of legendary politician-philosopher Rup Chandra Bista, Rudane: Bidroha ko Nepali Naam, has been announced. The producers of the film released the first look of the film on Wednesday, on the occasion of Bista’s 18th memorial day.

The film, the producers said, fill trace Bista’s life and Thaha Darshan, a political ideology propounded by Bista that encouraged citizens to become curious about the government, its policies and state functions. 

“Rup Chandra Bista, as we all know, is an extraordinary figure in Nepali politics. The way he lived his life, his ideology, and him pioneering the uniquely Nepali philosophy, known as Thaha Darshan, is essentially what inspired us to bring his life on screen,” director Amit Kishori Subedi told the Post. “His life is as fascinating as it is inspiring. Late into his life, he descended into alcoholism and grew increasingly self-destructive. He often referred to public as Bhaate Kukur, he said, ‘majority of us Nepalis are satisfied with one plate of rice and an embrace of a wife.’ That, for him, was not enough. He urged the people to live deliberately and consciously. So here’s this character who is largely forgotten in today’s Nepal. We have traced his life from the age of 10 to his death at 66.” Rudane has been shot in locations around Makwanpur, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. 

“The film is being produced after an extensive research spanning more than four years. With this film, we aim to shed light on a legendary life that is largely unknown to the present generation and has been forgotten by the preceding one,” Subedi further said, “Rup Chandra Bista is someone who also spoke the truth and always did the right thing. We hope that the film will be a source of motivation to the viewers.” 

The film is being directed and written jointly by Amit Kishori Subedi and Bikash Dhakal, and is produced by Jagrit Rayamajhi. 

The film features actor Divya Dev in the lead role as Bista, while Bista’s childhood self is portrayed by Anubhav Luintel. Namrata Shrestha (Gaatho) plays Bista’s wife. 

“Rudane was an extraordinarily complex character. I was curious how this man who gave up riches and lived with limited means was like. To find out, I met with his people close to him, and read lots of interviews and paid close attention to the words he used. Moreover, the film being a biopic, there was only little room for improvisation, the acting has to be precise. It, definitely, was challenging,” actor Dev said about getting into Bista’s character. 

The film which features cinematography by Shanta Rao, is being edited by Nimesh Shrestha and features background score by Jason Kunwar. 

The producers have tentatively announced that the film will be released towards the end of 2074.