The film “Dukhi Aatma,” based on sexual health, is currently gaining attention. With the release of its teaser and trailer, the film has captured the audience’s interest. Amidst the lack of representation of sexual education in films and the reluctance to openly discuss it in society, director Dipendra Lama has raised this topic for the first time in mainstream filmmaking.
In the context of Valentine’s Day, this adult drama is set to be released nationwide from 2nd Falgun. A press meet was organized to share more details about the film, where actors Dayahang Rai and Aanchal Sharma discussed their reasons for joining the project.
Dayahang mentioned that films on such topics were made in India 40 years ago, and stressed the importance of discussing sexual health in films. He also pointed out that Nepal is just beginning to open up about mental health and now is the right time to talk about health issues openly.
He shared his thoughts on the film, saying, “Sex is a private matter. We keep it very secret, but it is something of interest. We’ve thought about the reactions this topic might get.” He believes discussing sexual matters in the film is part of education. “We need to talk about this topic. There must be discussions and awareness,” he added. Dayahang mentioned that he didn’t feel the difficulty of facing reactions until after making the film.
He further noted that in past films, audiences often went to watch with their families, but “Dukhi Aatma” requires viewers to go separately. “It might be disappointing for them. It’s better to go separately because we don’t talk openly about sexual health. I don’t even talk about it myself, but it’s important to discuss,” he said. Dayahang believes that for a healthy and beautiful society, individuals and families need to be healthy in all aspects. “That’s why I felt I should make this film,” he explained.
Aanchal shared her initial thoughts on the script, wondering how people would react. “When I understood the subject, I thought it would be new for me, so I accepted it.” Regarding the adult film label, she said, “Why is it 18+? Because at 9th or 10th grade, we need to learn about these things. It’s important to have knowledge about it. There’s no need to explain periods to a 4-year-old girl, but when the time comes, we will. That’s why it’s 18+, as younger people don’t need to know this yet,” she said, adding that the film carries an important message.
She also mentioned the taboo surrounding such topics in society, saying, “We don’t want to talk about it because it feels awkward or shameful. We may not discuss it in public, but we can consult a doctor. I’m happy to be a part of this project on such a subject.”
The film is produced by Himal Kadaria and executive produced by Sudip Dhakal. It also features actors like Anoop Vikram Shahi and Buddhi Tamang.
