‘Jaar’ is a cinematic adaptation of the cherished short story by the acclaimed writer Indra Bahadur Rai. As the first recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award in 1977, and honored with the Jagadamba Shree Puraskar and the Agam Singh Giri Smriti Puraskar, Rai’s narrative resonates with the cultural richness and literary prowess he is known for.
The film brings to life the profound aesthetics of Rai’s work, reflecting his significant role in revolutionizing Nepali literature and his pivotal efforts in achieving constitutional recognition for the language in India. It preserves the essence of Rai’s story, showcasing the literary heritage on screen. ‘Jaar’ is more than a film; it is a tribute to a literary giant of the language and a journey through the history and ethos of its people worldwide.
BACKGROUND OF THE STORY
In Nepalese society, a ‘Jaar’ refers to a man who engages in an illicit or secret affair with another man’s wife. This violation of marital fidelity was addressed sternly in historical Nepal, particularly during the reign of Jung Bahadur Rana (1846-1877), Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief, and Shree Teen Maharajah of Palpa and Lumjung. He proclaimed that the wronged husband had the right to behead the guilty party, a concept that was enshrined in Nepal’s 1854 national code. The story of Jaar is set in 1890, thirteen years after the death of Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana, against this rich historical backdrop. Set against the intricate tapestry of Nepalese history, Jaar unfolds as a captivating period drama. Crafted by Ferry Tale Pictures, this motion picture bridges cinematic cultures by featuring a cast of illustrious actors and non-actors from Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Nepal, elevating its allure and promising a diverse, far-reaching appeal. The screenplay and film are directed by Phurba Tshering Lama and produced by Ferry Tale Pictures, with co-production by Hope Reels, LA-7 Shorts, Baral Studios, and Kiwa Production. The project is supported by the IPR Department, Government of Sikkim, under the Honourable Chief Minister’s initiative to support regional cinema.
Indra Bahadur Rai, a stalwart of modern Nepali literature, is widely studied in academic institutions across India and Nepal, with his stories reaching global audiences through English translations. Jaar resonated profoundly with director Phurba Lama, inspiring frequent revisits to the story. After Rai’s passing in 2019, during the screenplay’s development, Rai’s heirs graciously granted Ferry Tale Pictures the rights to adapt this timeless tale, paving the way for its cinematic journey. After penning a poignant and timeless script, a serendipitous encounter with cinephile Anita Dey during a Varanasi workshop led to her backing the film with a significant portion of the budget. This boost, coupled with a formal agreement and financial kick-start, propelled Ferry Tale Pictures to commence the production of Jaar. As the saying goes, “The rest is history!”
THE PROJECT & HISTORY
Set against the rich tapestry of history, ‘Jaar’ unfolds as a cinematic journey through a period drama. Crafted by Ferry Tale Pictures, this motion picture bridges cinematic cultures by featuring a cast of illustrious actors and non-actors from Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Nepal, elevating its allure and promising a diverse, far-reaching appeal. The screenplay and movie is directed by Phurba Tshering Lama and produced by Ferry Tale Pictures; Co-produced by Hope Reels, LA-7 Shorts, Baral Studios and Kiwa Production. The Project is supported by IPR Department, Government Of Sikkim, on the behest of the Honourable Chief Minister’s initiative to support regional cinema.
Indra Bahadur Rai, a stalwart of modern Nepali literature, is widely studied in academic institutions across India and Nepal, with his stories reaching global audiences through English translations. ‘Jaar’ resonated profoundly with director Phurba Lama, inspiring frequent revisits. After Rai’s passing in 2019, amid screenplay development, Rai’s heirs graciously granted Ferry Tale Pictures the rights to adapt the timeless story, paving the way for ‘Jaar’s cinematic journey. After penning a script that was poignant and timeless, a serendipitous encounter with cinephile Anita Dey during a Varanasi workshop led to her backing the film with a significant portion of the budget. This boost, coupled with a formal agreement and a financial kick-start, propelled Ferry Tale Pictures to commence the production of ‘Jaar’. As the saying goes, ‘Rest is history!’
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
“Jaar” is inspired by a Nepali short story by Indra Bahadur Rai from Darjeeling. Although the story was written many years ago, its themes remain highly relevant to contemporary society. The social structures of marriage, gender, caste, customs, and migration issues in Nepal, Sikkim, and Darjeeling have seen some change since the story’s inception. The making of “Jaar,” which took four years, brought together a diverse group of artistic professionals, newcomers, community crowdfunding participants, and supportive backers, all united by a shared vision.
Adapting the original short story into a film presented the challenge of translating its intricate layers and complexities onto the screen. “Jaar” explores themes of land, lineage, and the delicate ties that bind people to their origins. It seeks to capture the essence of human existence, resonating particularly with the Nepalese diaspora connected to their roots. On a broader scale, “Jaar” subtly opens a dialogue about the universal dichotomy of being both rooted and rootless.
PRODUCER'S STATEMENT
The script of Jaar, as narrated to me for the first time by Mr. Phurba Lama, instantly made me believe that it was the stuff that would make for a great cinema. Being an ardent enthusiast of good cinema, I was fascinated by the visual and cinematic potential held by the script. I was all the happier that Mr. Lama – who has proven himself as an adroit filmmaker was going to give life to this thrilling and fascinating story.
In the stagnant and uninspired Nepali film industry, Mr. Lama is one of the few among the younger generation of film-makers, who are experimenting with newer styles and techniques of story-telling and trying to reach a global audience with their skill and dexterity. At the same time, filmmakers like Mr. Lama are also using the medium to engage with and hold a mirror up to society through the use of realism in their films.
The script of Jaar is adapted from a Nepali short story. Though written many years ago, the story holds as much relevance in today’s Nepalese society, as it did at the time of its writing. The peculiar social elements of Nepalese society like caste, hierarchy, gender, and class status are integral to the script as is the way of life and livelihoods in Nepal which have not undergone major transformation in the years following the publication of this story.
Sadly, however, such scripts as Jaar fail to garner the attention of producers and financiers in an industry characterized by commercial slapsticks or stories involving larger-than-life characters or sizzling music and dance numbers. Making an offbeat film like Jaar is therefore an uphill task for filmmakers in this industry, merely for lack of enough finances.
Therefore, I decided to back this project financially not just because of the potential of its script, but also because it is being directed by Mr. Lama, whose passion and dedication towards his craft I am only too familiar with, not to mention his artistic and technical acumen to do justice to any project that he takes up.
– Mrs. Anita Dey(Co-producer)