From the film’s posters to its trailers and flyers, “Batch No 16” appears to possess an edge. It stars actors Suman Singh and Arpan Thapa in the lead roles. Singh is known for his roles in commercial films while for Thapa, this will be his first venture in the commercial scene. He previously enacted the role of a hustler in Murray Kerr’s, “Sick City.” The female leads are Rubi Bhattarai and Susma Karki.
“The name of the film – Batch No 16 – refers to the 16th batch of graduates from the Armed Police Force. It tells the story of two good friends, Guru and Ram, who drift apart when they are caught in a web of greed and loyalty,” shares the film’s assistant director Suraj Bhusal, a diploma holder from Zee Institute of Media Arts, Delhi.
Debuting in the film as a director is Pitamber Pandey, who worked for Indian director Anurag Basu as an assistant director in, “Life in a Metro.” The action sequences have been directed by well known action director Rosan Shrestha, and Renasa Rai has choreographed the songs in the film.
She believes her choreography in the film to be one of her finest works and says, “I had a blast working with the crew. We were encircled by an air of competitiveness.”
Casting director Anup Baral terms his part in the film as small but a significant one. “I’m the villain who gives the film its required direction.”
“The strongest element of the film is its pace. The audience won’t be diverted or get bored,” mentions Bhusal. He stresses that unlike other Nepali films where escapism is the core element, the story is firmly rooted in Nepali soil.
For the action sequences, real commandos and weapons have been used. “We’ve emphasized on details. We even stuck a sticker with the title of APF on the helicopter we were using. The real APF commandos were surprised because APF doesn’t own its own helicopter.”
Action director Shrestha says that the shooting of the action sequences was very satisfying. “The film is more than a bunch of thrilling action sequences. It’s a balanced mixture of action and family drama which should appeal to the Nepali audience,” he shares.
The film’s background score has been provided by Kiccha Maan Chitrakar. The movie has been shot from the rugged areas of Jomsom to scenic locations in Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Pokhara. Made on a huge budget of Rs one crore and 15 lakhs, the cast and crew will be put to test on March 4 when the film opens in theatres across Nepal. It should succeed if it gives the audiences what it promises to.
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