Actor Pradeep Khadka at Rara: “The People of Karnali Should Demand Compensation”

The ‘Rara Film, Tourism, and Climate Summit’ under the second Karnali International Film Festival was grandly held at the historic Rara Lake. The summit featured diverse discussions and debates on cinema, tourism, and climate change.

With the main slogan “Let’s Travel Karnali, Let’s See Karnali,” the festival aimed not only to promote Nepali cinema but also to elevate Karnali’s tourism and climate issues to the international stage.

The summit, organized in two sessions focused on cinema, tourism, and climate change, held in-depth discussions on local culture, language, tourism infrastructure, and representing Karnali through films in international markets.

Actor Pradeep Khadka, who also served as a goodwill ambassador for the festival, remarked that this festival was significant in highlighting the potential for not only the Rara region but the entire Karnali to be developed as one of the world’s finest natural film studios. Recalling the filming of Prem Geet 2 in the Rara area, he emphasized that cinema is an effective medium for promoting film tourism as well as preserving language, culture, and traditions. He also mentioned the contribution of Prem Geet 2 in promoting Rara internationally.

Khadka stressed the need to take the issue of climate change seriously, stating that the people of Karnali should raise their voices to demand compensation for the damages Nepal, including Karnali, is suffering due to climate change. “The Himalayas are melting, and water and food shortages are increasing,” he said. “Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness about climate change and launch effective campaigns.”

He further added, “Eight years ago, when I visited Rara, there were no flies. But now, they can be seen. Dengue didn’t exist in Kathmandu before, but now it has become an epidemic. During the monsoon, there’s no rain, and in winter, there are floods and landslides — signs of changing weather patterns.” Khadka noted that the effects of climate change are becoming more visible, especially in the Karnali region, with traditional crops disappearing and water sources drying up.

“We need to spread awareness on this issue,” he said. “Developed countries must provide compensation for the damages Nepal is facing due to climate change.”

Nevertheless, expressing his emotional connection with Karnali, he also revealed plans to shoot his new film Chhabbis Crore in the Karnali region soon.

The chief guest of the ceremony was Manjan Bahadur Karki, Chief of the Mugu District Coordination Committee. The event was chaired by Dr. Mahendra Kumar Mall, with the participation of prominent personalities including Dinesh DC, Chairman of the Film Development Board; Bishnu Kumar Bham, Mayor of Rara Chhayanath Municipality; Top B.C., Chairperson of Guranse Rural Municipality; veteran actress and director Deepashree Niraula; actor Pradeep Khadka; and senior officer Gopal Bhandari from the Nepal Tourism Board, among others.