Upendra Subba Faces Question: Did He Make Jaari 2 Just to Cash in on the Original’s Success?

Nepali filmmaker and writer Upendra Subba is once again in the spotlight as he gears up to release his new film, Jaari 2, the sequel to his 2022 blockbuster Jaari. The first film achieved huge commercial success, but Subba had repeatedly stated in interviews that he had no plans to make a sequel. However, three years later, he has changed his mind and with that, a wave of curiosity and criticism has followed.

Many have questioned whether Subba making Jaari 2 simply to cash in on the success of the original. Addressing the controversy during a recent press meet, Subba clarified that while he had not initially planned a sequel, the story he was developing for a new film naturally fit as a continuation of Jaari.

“Friends and colleagues suggested that the story could work as Jaari 2, and I took the risk,” he explained. “I didn’t make it just for profit. I made it because I believed in the story.”

Subba also acknowledged that making a sequel presented unique challenges.
“In Jaari, everything – the story, the setting, the characters – felt fresh to the audience. In Jaari 2, I had to work harder to bring something new while keeping the established characters relevant” he said.

He further noted that sequels do come with certain advantages: “When characters are already familiar, it’s easier to connect with audiences. That’s one benefit I did have.”

The director has incorporated cultural depth into Jaari 2, especially through the inclusion of ‘Chyabrung’, a traditional Limbu drum. Subba revealed that the instrument serves as a symbolic element throughout the film. “In Limbu culture, Chyabrung is played during moments of joy, so in the movie, it represents happiness” he shared.

Jaari 2 is set to hit theaters on Friday, November 7 (21 Kartik), with high expectations from both fans and critics.

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