As motorbikes are a necessary means of transport in Nepal, the government sees them as a luxury item and imposes a high tax of around 117% on imports. The motorbike that cost around 800 US dollar in the Border side of India, costing around 1800 US $ in the border side of Nepal. The worst thing was that, even after paying such a huge sum of money for the motorbike, it was very difficult to get the license which is necessary legal permit to ride it. Many Nepalese who owns motorbikes don’t have a license because the government had created a system were obtaining a permit legally was difficult. Due to the red tape, only a few people can obtain a license through legal means, which costs around US$25. The rest have to bribe a high sum to the system to get the license. Many Nepalese who could not afford to pay such a huge amount to get the license had to wait for a long time, till the department opens its procedure again. This had allowed traffic authorities to fine and harass people who do not have a license.
The film’s production commenced in 2019 with the support of Atlas network when the bureaucratic hassles and red tape obstructed the license-obtaining process, compelling the citizens of Koshi Province to be deprived of various opportunities, including employment opportunities. Bikalpa, with the technical support of Dugan Bridges (Director) and Nicholas Gilbert (Director of Photography), made a short move titled “Sakas” which addressed the issue of motorbike licenses. Bikalpa assembled a 17-person crew for the 13-day on-site shoot. During filming and training, Dugan Bridges and his colleague, Nick, provided hands-on guidance to the team on handling light, sound, and camera equipment. Bikalpa’s team member, Basanta, facilitated local coordination and translated the script into Nepali, while Riwaj Dahal undertook video editing and subtitles creation.
The final film Premier Show was concluded at City Cinema Biratnagar on 6 January 2024. The screening premiere was also supported by Himgiri Hygiene (P) Limited as a local Sponsor. The event, moderated by Basanta Adhikari, welcomed notable guests from various sectors, including Mr. Nagesh Koirala (Mayor of Biratnagar), Dr. Bhesprasad Dhamala (Chairperson of Bikalpa an Alternative), and Mr. Dinesh Shrestha (President, Anti-Corruption Movement).
The premiere witnessed an attendance of over 220 individuals, including cast, crew, and supporters of the movie. Post-screening, crew members took the stage to share their filmmaking experiences. The artists, crew, and supporters were honored with certificates and tokens of appreciation by the esteemed guests, marking a celebration of their contributions to the impactful movie production.
