Kathmandu, July 15 -- Some films are confusing because they are ambitious. 'Bhagdaud' is confusing because it barely understands its own story.

Written and directed by Himal Upreti, the film gestures towards financial hardship, fraud, trafficking, police corruption and caste prejudice, but develops none of them convincingly. Scenes jump without context, characters appear without introduction, and serious issues are abandoned before they can acquire any meaning.

At the centre of this confusion is Tirtha, played by Ghanshyam Joshi. He is apparently intended to be the film's hero, although almost everything he does suggests otherwise.

Tirtha is a professional con man. At the beginning of the film, he is kidnapped, possibly for cheating so...