The producer of the film “Bagan” alleges that the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has defaced the film’s posters by applying a whitewash.
Suresh Wagley, the producer, stated that he received a phone call after seeing the defaced posters. He was summoned to the office of the Chief of Metropolitan Police, Raju Pandey, where he was informed about the negative publicity of their film. Wagley claimed that they were treated poorly during the meeting.
After the whitewashing incident, Wagley expressed his dissatisfaction with KMC Mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah through a Facebook post. He stated, “Balen ji, you may have tried to suppress Hindi cinema, but you did not support Nepali cinema either. Please do not create obstacles. The rest of the matter should be discussed with media-loving Metropolitan Police Chief Raju Pandey.”
Responding to this, Metropolitan Police Chief Pandey clarified that they had not mistreated the producer and distributor. He said, “We will not allow our city to be polluted. We have sent a bill for the whitewashing work. I did not call the media. How did they find out? We have not mistreated anyone.”
Metropolitan Police Chief Pandey’s statement: “We urge everyone not to deface posters in the city. We have taken action against those responsible. In the morning, I saw the poster of ‘Bagan’ with whitewashing. I called the film’s director, Saroj Khanal, immediately.”
He mentioned that he appreciated the distributor, Karan Shrestha, by providing his contact number to offer assistance. Pandey assured him that he would visit their office.
“When he came to the office, we told him that we clean the city, and the posters will be displayed again. I also want to watch this film. I will come as well. But please don’t pollute the city. We will clean up after such incidents,” Pandey concluded.
“I did not call the media. How did they find out? We have not mistreated anyone,” added Pandey, clarifying his stance.
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