On July 13, 2023, Nabin Chauhan sent me an invitation via Messenger for a film announcement event organized by his production house, Artmandu. As someone who has been closely following all of Artmandu’s work for a long time, I was excited to attend the event.
The event featured a musical performance by Sujan Chapagain of a song Phool, followed by the official reveal of the film’s title, Oonko Sweater–The Woolen Sweater. It took two years for Oonko Sweater, written and directed by debutant Nabin Chauhan, to finally make its way to cinemas.
The film is currently running in theatres nationwide and is receiving a variety of reviews—mostly positive.
Love in the hills
Produced by Artmandu, Oonko Sweater is a simple intercaste love story between Dharanidhar Kafle, played by Bipin Karki, and Phool Gurung, played by Miruna Magar, set against the scenic backdrop of the eastern hills of Panchthar, Nepal. This film evokes the special feeling of being loved by someone dear. The chemistry between Dharanidhar and Phool Gurung reflects the unwavering determination of true love. While the overall storyline may not feel extraordinary to some viewers, the film’s strong elements—its performances, dialogues, background score, and music—successfully capture the audience’s attention and provide heartfelt entertainment.
Firstly, the chemistry between Dharanidhar Kafle and Phool Gurung feels genuine. Watching their conversations—delivered with natural ease—can evoke a sense of romance in the audience or even remind them of conversations with their own beloved, especially during the early stages of a relationship. Both protagonists have done a fabulous job. But, Karki’s character seems to struggle with maintaining consistency in the Limbu accent; his pronunciation differs between the present-day scenes and the flashbacks.
However, after portraying memorable characters like Bishnu Hari in Hari, Bhasmey in Pashupati Prasad, and Phanindra Timsina in Jatra, Dharanidhar Kafle is yet another role that Bipin Karki will be remembered for.
Other characters in the film—Dambar Kafle, played by Alex Parash, and Ikshya Limbu, played by Parikshya Limbu—have also delivered commendable performances, not just in their acting but in their dancing as well.
The film’s cinematography, handled by Chintan Rajbhandari, is simple yet effective, aligning well with the story’s tone. The camera beautifully captures both the landscapes of Panchthar and the emotional depth of the characters, doing justice to the film’s narrative.
Now, let’s dive into one of the film’s strongest elements—its music.
Notes that tell stories
The first song of the movie, Chainejo Jindaganima, composed by Sujan Chapagain and sung by Chapagain himself along with Salina BK, is receiving remarkable appreciation from audiences. It is a dance number unlike anything Nepali audiences have heard in a long time, resonating with the nostalgic vibes of early 90s Nepali film songs.
Visually, too, the song takes us back to that era, with Alex Parash and Parikshya Limbu channeling the charm of legendary actors Dilip Rayamajhi and Niruta Singh. The song serves as a tribute to both of these icons. In response, Rayamajhi and Singh have expressed their happiness and gratitude—through a direct phone call to the actors and a post on social media—appreciating the homage paid by Parash and Limbu through their performance.
The next song of the movie Kafle, composed by Jhuma Limbu and sung by Limbu herself and Sujan Chapagain has created a sensation in the current Nepali music scene. Kafle is an expressive track capturing the playful teasing and interaction between two protagonists. The song is all over social media.
Another standout song from the movie, Makhamali, also plays a significant role. It not only makes the audience want to dance but also celebrates the vibrancy of village life. The song embraces the rich heritage of Kauda and Chutka folk tunes, deeply rooted in the musical traditions of the Magar and Gurung communities.
The final original song of the movie, Phool, leaves the audience with a heavy heart. Its sentimental lyrics—Timi bina / Timi hunu / Nachoyerai hardum chun [Your presence without you / To touch you without touching]—adds emotional weight to the film’s final moments which could even bring some viewers to tears.
When music leads
Besides originals the movie also features the cover songs. The makers of Oonko Sweater have cleverly incorporated the timeless songs of the late veteran singer Prem Dhoj Pradhan, reimagined in the voice of Sujan Chapagain. One notable instance is a scene where Phool meets Dharanidhar to bid him farewell before he returns to his village. In that emotional moment, as Phool expresses her worry about whether they will ever meet again, Bipin Karki sings Ghumti Ma Naau Hai. The song beautifully conveys the sentiment that continued meetings might make parting even more difficult, as both characters are bound by their individual responsibilities and must eventually go their separate ways.
While the musical choice is emotionally resonant and well-placed, one aspect that could have been improved is the voice casting. Sujan Chapagain’s voice, while melodious, doesn’t quite match Bipin Karki’s on-screen presence. Choosing a different playback singer whose voice better aligns with Karki’s tone and persona might have made the scene more convincing.
Kobid Bazra’s background score deserves special mention. Every scene and dialogues in the movie sound impactful not just because they are well-written, but also because they are effectively enhanced by the accompanying background score.
By the end of the film, audiences familiar with Artmandu’s earlier works may sense that Oonko Sweater draws some influence from their previous musical projects. For instance, the scene where Phool tells Dharanidhar that she must return permanently to her home in Darjeeling is reminiscent of the music video Baaf, which also portrays a love story between a man from Nepal and a woman from Darjeeling. Similarly, the elderly couple who give a woolen sweater to Dharanidhar at the end of the film recalls the music video Sunakhari, which centers on the love story of an elderly couple.
This film is a perfect epitome of how music can elevate the overall quality of a film. Honestly, it would not be wrong to say that the movie—which collected Rs 57.5 million in its first week—might not have achieved such success without its exceptional music. The music, in many ways, feels like a character of its own—keeping you entertained and adding vibrancy to every scene. Kudos to everyone who has been involved with the music of Oonko Sweater.
Oonko Sweater may not revolutionize storytelling in Nepali cinema, but its heartfelt performances, visual poetry, and, above all, its evocative music come together to create a film that lingers in your memory long after the credits roll.
