Kagbeni (2008) User Reviews

Watch and learn...

[Nebzyl · 8/10 · 19 October 2013]

Because 'Kagbeni' is the first digital movie of Nepal, it has its own place in the history of Nepali Film Industry. Bhusan Dahal has made this movie worth watching. The performances of the actors are the best ever. The storyline follows the story of "The Monkey's Paw" which possesses a great power, the power which can fulfill every wish you make, but the rightful owner of the paw should make a wish. Wishes of any other get fulfilled along with a disaster. Watch the movie, and you see who wishes what, and what disaster they bring along.

The message passed through the movie is great. The movie may not be the taste of average Nepalese, but had the same movie been produced by Hollywood, I'm sure it would have good position in the World Film Industry.

A gem for Nepali movie industry

[banditzseo · 8/10 · 1 October 2018]

From the very beginning the movie sets a standard unlike any Nepali movie (I have watched till date). As the movie proceeds, I cannot help but be proud of my community which has made such a good piece of art. Even though it is an adaptation from an English story, the translation of the same has been done extremely well, befitting nepali community!! The story proceeds aptly as per the narrative except at few places where some aspects get stretched out, however, it does not affect the movie much in totality. Soundtrack is apt to the story and I can say that without it, the whole story would have lost its meaning. The subtleness and beauty of the place has been brought out beautifully by the cinematographer and direction of the movie deserves an ovation. Nina Rumba already being a talented singer is an equally good actor. I would love to see him onscreen often. Both the actresses have done a fabulous job and I am highly impressed by Saugat Malla. This is his first movie I have watched and have already searched another one (Katha) so that I can enjoy the creativity and life he brings to his character. I am sure he will take our Nepali movie industry to a very different level soon.

kagbeni.....a exceptional thiller and drama

[raizelslash · 8/10 · 11 September 2018]

This movie is a gem. A very different movie for a Nepali audience.I think this is the first digital movie made in Nepal. The acting, the story line are fit perfectly. The length of the movie is also good as we wont get bored with useless scenes. This movie is a must watch for Nepali audience. this movie is a different approach as its story not a typical action or romance movie.

the best Nepali movie you will ever see....

[entrin_gworld · 10/10 · 8 July 2011]

Kagbeni is a masterpiece ever directed by any Nepali. it portraits the life style and social images of northern rural part of Nepal. there are series of beautiful glittering images of Nepali culture and nature. the story is amazing and the cast superb, actually the lead actor of this film, Saugat Malla gives the most sensitive role that any other Nepali actors has ever given. the story is about two childhood best friends Ramesh and Krishba. Ramesh sustains his life by selling the apple wine.Krishna then come from abroad to visit him. they both go for the visit to the city where Ramesh can sell the apple juice. On their journey Ramesh finds that his beloved lover Tara is going to marry his friend Krishna due to pressure from her father. on their way they find a saint whom they help to comfort him for a night. in return the saint gift Krishna a monkey paw which is believed to have magical powers. it is believed to fulfill the wish of the man who owns it. on their quest and adventure they find it much difficult to bear it. they find that it bring their life more trouble than happiness. the tagline of the film is "be careful what you wish for", which in my thought is best justified in the film.

A good example of Nepalese movie history

[prabsinakxata · 10/10 · 1 December 2011]

Kagbeni is one of the highly appreciated movie ever made in Nepalese movie history. Inspired by the short story The Monkey's Paw, the movie also tries to show the lifestyle of the people living in the mountains of Nepal. The mesmerizing sceneries from the Himalayas is the best part of the movie. Ramesh in a will of getting his beloved, make a wish to the Monkey's paw given by a pilgrim which he is not supposed to do, faces the sequence of disasters in his life. The movie ends with a good moral that when we desire more for self benefit then that may lead to equivalent loss. It someway implies the saying 'to gain something, we must lose something'.

Open Fist

[tedg · 26 October 2011]

This is a Nepali movie, loosely based on the 1902 horror short story The Monkey's Paw. The name is a district in Nepal; the film is the director's first. The reason for a Nepalise film to be made is the same in Nepal as anywhere in the developing world. Films validate a people, and they are good business when they can be outward looking, as this one is. Apparently, in this country of 30 million people, no decent films had been made before this one — or so the funders say. But the reasons for making and watching are different; there is a good reason to watch this. The actual story, acting and such are merely adequate, but the sense of place is profound, and the cinematography seems natural. This is a place unlike the place in which I live, and even places that I have visited, and I can report that there was competent sensitivity in conveying the nature of the place.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

Unbeatable Nepali.

[rsnlama · 10/10 · 27 February 2019]

If there is any Nepali movie name that i have to take. First it comes kagbeni! What story written! Full of thriller & suspense!

Be careful what you wish for...

[aadarshstha-92565 · 8/10 · 13 May 2023]

The harsh beauty of the Himalayas serves as a backdrop to get another rendition of "The Monkey's Paw", a short story by W. W. Jacobs in the 2008 Nepali film, Kagbeni. It is the first digital film of Nepal, it has its own place in the history of Nepali Film Industry. And Bhushan Dahal made this film worth watching. First thing first, the story inherits some real tension from the original story which is beautifully complimented by the amazing performance from the lead actors. And it's the acting debut of the three leads: Saugat Malla, Deeya Maskey and Nima Rumba, which is brilliant; so natural and profound acting.

Kagbeni portraits the lifestyle and social images of northern rural part of Nepal. There are series of beautiful glittering images of Nepali culture and nature. The story is amazing and the cast, superb. Actually, the lead actor, Saugat Malla gives the most sensitive role and also this film feels like way ahead of it's time. I didn't expect Nima Rumba to perform so well as he is not a professional actor but a singer, which he proved me wrong.

This is a different film for the Nepali audience. The storyline and the acting fit perfectly and also it's story is not a typical Nepali film which we have been seeing since our childhood. I think this film is the first of it's kind at that time. From the very beginning, the film set a standard unlike any other Nepali films. And as the film progresses, I was stunned with how the film turned out. The characters are so believable (because of the Nepali society), so unpredictable and vulnerable at the same time.

Also, the message passed through the film is great.

A path breaking film which took Nepali Cinema to digital era.

[Filmfanatic977 · 8/10 · 9 March 2021]

I respect a lot about this film when it comes to the risk they had taken when Nepali movie industry was ruled by Substandard Masala entertainers copied from Indian cinema. It was completly new experience to see such a novel story presented in an artistic way. But the length of the film ruined everything for me. I felt like a 30 minutes short film was stretched to 2 hours just to fit into the norms.

Nepalese must watch this movie

[journeytech · 8/10 · 27 September 2016]

Nepali Movie Kagbeni The 2008 Nepali movie is loosely based on the W. W. Jacobs' 1902 horror short story "The Monkey's Paw". Name of the movie is taken from a place Kagbeni, in the Kali Gandaki valley, about 2-hour walk from Muktinath.

Kagbeni may not be a Golden Globe nominee, but producers Bhaskar Dhungana, Nakim Uddin and Rajesh Siddhi have honed their skills with this debut effort, and may do even better with their next venture, Sano Sansar, due for release later this year. Kagbeni could have been shorter, the music during the supernatural scenes could have been less melodramatic, some characters are mechanical and detached. But overall this is a film that proves Nepali cinema has finally come of age. Even in a fairy tale, it protrays a gritty, dusty, real Nepal not a sanitised, escapist one seen in most Kollywood musicals.

A true masterpiece

[Chalchitra_premi_kto_moh123 · 9/10 · 20 May 2021]

The lead characters of the movie are believable, so unpredictable and vulnerable at the same time. These are the main parameters for great performance so, hats off to all the amazing actors. Also, its top notch cinematography with use of different subtext relevant to the scene cannot go unseen. The vision of the director (Mr. Bhushan Dahal) has so much clarity that he reached his goal of narrating the story with such influence that any viewer can feel the story. I feel ashamed that we ignore the true art form and stereotype all nepali movies but there are masterpiece like this here in Nepal too. Our film industry will only grow if we change our perception regarding nepali movies. So, do support this type of nepali films and motivate filmmakers/actors to deliver movies of such caliber.

Best movie ever made in Nepali language

[funbahadur · 10/10 · 25 May 2013]

This is a best movie ever made in Nepali film industry. It is loosely based on W. W. Jacobs's 1902 horror short story The Monkey's Paw. it is the directorial debut of Bhusan Dahal. The name of the movie is taken from a tourist place Kagbeni situated in the valley of the Kali Gandaki. this movie Good story,music and direction, great acting done by all of the cast. lead actors Saughat malla, Nima rumba and diya maske has done such a great and natural acting that we cant stop appreciating them.superb cinematography, The location of movie is so beautiful which is shoot in the place of mustang. You will feel so proud that you live in these beautiful country Nepal after watching this beautiful movie.