Shatru Gate, which released nationwide on Friday, is off to a heady start at the box office. According to Kathmandu-based distributors, the film scored around 80 percent occupancy on Friday while majority of multiplexes in the Valley were full house on Saturday.

The cast and crew of the film have been taking a survey around the Valley’s multiplexes; according to Haribansha Acharya, who stars in the film, the reaction from the audience he has talked to has been “cent percent positive.” “The film has been well-liked all around, which is our first and foremost accomplishment. And then a large number of audience has thronged the theatres,” Acharya said, “What I have found from my interactions with the audience is that they have received the film’s mixture of comedy and tragedy really well.

“Our aim is not to shatter records, but to win over the audience’s heart, and so far, it seems we really understood the audience’s taste,” Acharya added.

Shatru Gate is directed by Pradeep Bhattarai, of the Jatra fame. Speaking about the response the film has garnered, Bhattarai said that the team’s only purpose was to entertain the audience and “it seems, to that end, we have succeded.” Bhattarai added, “I am really humbled to receive positive responses from filmmakers too.”

Shatru Gate is filmed under the banner of MaHa Sanchar, the home production company of the comedy duo. The film features actors Deepak Raj Giri, Deepashree Niraula, Haribansha Acharya, Madan Krishan Shrestha, Paul Shah, Aachal Sharma, Pradip Bhattarai, Priyanka Karki, Shivahari Poudel, and Mohit Acharya, among others.