Nepal, May 21 -- On the second day of release, a producer I know quietly bought tickets to his own film so that the hall would not look empty.

I had heard stories like this before. Anyone working in Nepali cinema has. Producers buy tickets to their own films because strong booking numbers help films survive longer in theatres. Cinema halls watch occupancy carefully. If bookings remain weak, shows disappear fast.

But hearing about it and witnessing it on your own film are different things.

I am writing this as a producer whose film is currently running in theatres across Nepal. The film is 'Ek Mutthi Badal: My Share of Sky', directed by Sahara Sharma. It is Nepal's first women-led international co-production between Nepal and Germany. ...