Nepal’s First Transgender Cinema ‘Gunyo Cholo’ Reaches Hollywood

The Cinema Times, Kathmandu- The very first poster of Gulabi had made us inquisitive, made us feel a good story was on its way. Actor Najir Husen in a transgender character was gripping. Now this cinema will get a worldwide audience as Nepal’s first coming of age transgender cinema is being post produced in Hollywood and will have a world premiere from Hollywood as ‘Gunyo Cholo: Coming Of Age Of A Girl’.

It is a matter of pride for Nepali cinema industry and Nepali cinema lovers on a whole as ‘Gunyo Cholo’ will be released to a global audience. Vzion Entertainment (USA) has collaborated with Nepali production company The Sky Ocean Entertainment to bring the cinema to a worldwide audience. Writer, Director Samundra Bhatta’s transgender story is produced by Aakash Budhathoki and award-winning V. Vansay Zanubon of Colorado.

Producer Zanubon was impressed with the story and the first rough cut touched his heart. He felt this was a story everyone should experience and he is sure the cinema will leave everyone in tears. Award winning music composer Marcello De Francisci is also on board. He is a recipient of two Australian Film Critic’s Awards for his scores in ‘Balibo’ and ‘Oranges & Sunshine’.  Francisci has composed and produced music for five times Academy Award nominated cinema ‘Nebraska’ and joined with Golden Globe winner Lisa Gerrard and Academy Award winning composer Hans Zimmer for the score to Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’.

Gunyo Cholo is a traditional Nepali costume that is given to a girl as she crosses the age of seven. This tradition signals the transition of a girl to womanhood. This symbolizes the girl is coming of age. What happens to a person born as a male whose gender identity does not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, what does coming of age transition that person into?

Gulabi, played by Najir Husen, is born in a patriarchal and puritanical Rtd. Army General’s family as a sole male heir. The father wants his son to be in the army and follow the family’s tradition. To his utter dismay, Gulabi shows affinity towards girly things. While the young boy struggles to understand his identity, the father is mortified with the way his son is behaving. Thinking his son’s aspirations to become a transgender woman has brought disgrace and dishonor to the family; he throws him out of the home and village. Having no alternative, Gulabi enters the world of prostitution in Kathmandu.

The cinema is currently in post-production in the United States and Canada. Starring Najir Husen, Sanchita Luitel and Bishal Pahari in pivotal roles, Nepal’s first transgender subject cinema ‘Gunyo Cholo: Coming of Age of a Girl’ will hit the screens in early 2024 worldwide.