Raju Gaule — A Nepali Short Film Inspired by Nepal’s Conflict Era

Raju Gaule (2021) is a Nepali short film written and directed by Bishal Lohane, inspired by a true-life incident from Nepal’s conflict era. Produced by Pratiphal Films and presented by Ahuri Entertainment, the film explores the experiences of an innocent young student caught in a period of political conflict, fear, violence, and social division.

Through the journey of Raju, the film looks beyond the political events of the time and focuses on their human consequences—particularly the effect of conflict on children, education, families, and ordinary communities.

Raju Gaule Short Film

Set against the backdrop of Nepal’s conflict era, Raju Gaule follows Raju, a young village student whose peaceful life is disrupted as political conflict reaches his school and community.

As revolutionary ideas and armed conflict influence the lives of young people, Raju becomes caught in circumstances beyond his control. His identity as a student does not protect him from suspicion and violence. He eventually faces accusations of being associated with the Maoist movement and is subjected to interrogation and physical abuse.

His parents desperately try to establish his innocence while the family struggles with fear, uncertainty, and the devastating consequences of conflict.

Rather than presenting the conflict only through political events, Raju Gaule approaches the period through the eyes of an ordinary family and a young person whose life is transformed by circumstances he did not choose.

TRAILR HD

A Story of Innocence, Survival and Family

At the heart of Raju Gaule is the question of what happens to innocent people when conflict becomes part of everyday life.

Raju represents the many young people whose childhood and education were affected by Nepal's conflict era. The film portrays the fear surrounding schools and communities, the vulnerability of children, the pressure created by political divisions, and the uncertainty experienced by families.

The relationship between Raju and his parents is also an important emotional element of the story. Their struggle to protect their son reflects the love, helplessness, and courage of families living through dangerous circumstances.

The film also touches on caste-based and social discrimination, showing how existing divisions within society can influence the experiences and identity of young people.

Nepal's Conflict Era Through a Human Perspective

Nepal's conflict era left a deep impact on communities throughout the country. Raju Gaule uses a personal story to explore some of those consequences.

The film does not attempt to represent the entire history of the conflict. Instead, it focuses on the experience of one young student and his family, using their story as a window into the fear, uncertainty, and human suffering associated with that period.

By focusing on ordinary people rather than only major political events, the film gives attention to the personal memories and experiences that can easily disappear from historical narratives.

Inspired by a True-Life Incident

Raju Gaule is inspired by a true-life incident from Nepal's conflict era. The film uses cinematic storytelling to explore the emotional and human dimensions of such experiences.

The story is presented as a dramatic interpretation rather than a claim that every scene represents a literal historical record. Its purpose is to preserve the emotional reality of people who experienced fear, discrimination, separation, violence, and uncertainty during a difficult period in Nepal's history.

Motion Poster

Recognition and Screening

Raju Gaule received recognition for its music, with its background music nominated for the Social Media Award 2078.

The film also received a Special Screening at the First Dhaulagiri Film Festival 2021, connecting the project with a wider audience and the Nepali independent filmmaking community.

Cast

The film features:

• Suraj Bishwakarma (Bikrant) as Raju Gaule
• ShalikGram
• Radhika Kharti
• Anjel Khatri (Tony)
• Chandra RamDam
• Ganesh Aryal
• Jeevan Pariyar
• Anup Lamghade
• Sanjay Bc
• Anjaan Ghatane
• Nashib Bc
• Anish Lamghade
• And others

Military Cast

• Thamman Sing Purja Pun (Sujal)
• Khum Pun
• Sujan Pun
• Deepak Pandey
• Jeevan P
• Ram Prasad Jaisi
• Bipin Pariyar
• Bishal Bohara
• Anup LG
• Sandesh Sunar

Mawobadi Cast

• Amrit Lamghade
• Bhima Pariyar
• Kareena Senchuri
• Prakash Thapa
• Karna Basyel
• Bharat Rd
• Raj Gautam
• Kritan Giri
• Debendra Gadal
• Prakash Sharma
• And others

Special Appearance

• Arjun Thapa
• Dimas Gurung
• Durga Bdr Tilija
• Santosh Pariyar

Child Artists

• Sanjaya Bc
• Manisha Serchan
• Nashib Sunar
• Anjaan Ghatane
• Anish Lamghade

Production Credits

A Pratiphal Films Production
An Ahuri Entertainment Presentation

• Story & Direction: Bishal Lohane
• Screenplay & Dialogue: Bishal Lohane
• Edit / SFX / DiColour / VFX: Bishal Lohane
• Voiceover: Bishal Lohane
• Additional Camera: Bishal Lohane
• Camera: Kishan BC
• Background Music: Pramod Pariyar
• Dubbing: Lil Bdr Purja Pun
• Dubbing Studio: Pun Digital Recording Studio, Pokhara, Nepal
• Co-Producers: Thamman Singh Purja Pun (Sujal), Ram Prasad Sharma (RC)
• Executive Producer: Rimati Khorja Pun

In Association With

Art Nepal (कला नेपाल) — Kishan Bc
Khaas Nepal (खास नेपाल) — Arjun Thapa
Amazing Cyrus — Dimas Gurung

Themes of Raju Gaule

The film explores several interconnected themes:

Conflict and Its Human Cost: How political violence affects ordinary people beyond the battlefield.

Childhood and Innocence: The vulnerability of young people exposed to political conflict and violence.

Family and Protection: The emotional struggle of parents trying to protect their children during dangerous circumstances.

Education and Young Minds: The effect of conflict and political influence on students and schools.

Social and Caste Discrimination: The impact of social divisions on individual identity and relationships.

Fear and Survival: The choices ordinary people make when living under uncertainty and threat.

Peace and Human Dignity: A reflection on the importance of equality, compassion, and peaceful coexistence.

Bishal Lohane — Writer and Director

Bishal Lohane is a Nepali filmmaker, writer, director, editor, actor, and visual storyteller. Through his filmmaking, he has explored social issues, human relationships, real-life experiences, and inspirational stories.

With Raju Gaule, Lohane brings a conflict-era human story to the screen through the perspective of a young student and his family. His involvement extends beyond direction and writing, including screenplay, dialogue, editing, voiceover, additional camera work, visual effects, color work, trailer editing, poster design, and promotion.

This multi-disciplinary approach allowed him to remain involved throughout the creative and post-production process of the film.

Watch Raju Gaule

Raju Gaule is a story of an ordinary young boy caught in extraordinary circumstances. Through Raju's experience, the film remembers the human stories behind a difficult chapter of Nepal's history.

The film invites viewers to reflect on peace, education, family, equality, social discrimination, human dignity, and the lasting effects of conflict on individuals and communities.

Raju Gaule
Story & Directed by Bishal Lohane
A Pratiphal Films Production
An Ahuri Entertainment Presentation

Watch the film and explore more work from Pratiphal Films and Ahuri Entertainment.