‘Kabaddi 5’ Trailer Review: A Story Set in Thakkhola, With Ramabu Gurung Continuing the Series’ Legacy

KATHMANDU – In the first four instalments of “Kabaddi,” audiences saw the love, betrayal and family disputes of the main character, Kaji. Many women came into his life, but he has always been unlucky in love.

If “Kabaddi” is regarded as a “universe” of Nepali film, the fifth instalment of the popular franchise can be understood to carry a new story, new conflict, the Himalayan setting of Thakkhola and the struggle of Thakkhola villagers to embrace entrepreneurship.

The fifth instalment is titled “Kabaddi 5: After the Final Match.”

The released trailer gives a brief hint of the plot. Twelve years ago, Ramabu Gurung began telling Kaji’s story with the Thakali village in Thakkhola, Mustang, on the bank of the Kali Gandaki, as the setting. A decade later, Gurung has continued the legacy of all four earlier instalments in the fifth.

In the trailer, viewers see the bickering among Kaji, a new Soltini (Sirjana Gurung), a new guest (Bipin Karki), BK, Chhantyal and other family members. They also sense a maturity in the main character’s life, thinking and experiences after a decade.

At the start of the trailer, Kaji (played by Dayahang Rai) says: “Ma mula lai kasle jagir dinchha (Who will give me a job), anyway? The truth is hard to accept. I will do business. I will open a hotel and serve tourists. Shanti Batika Resort.”

Kaji says these lines with his friends BK and Chhantyal on either side. The lines are not only the bottom line of the fifth instalment but also reflect the maturity and change that have come to Kaji’s life over the past 12 years. Here, director Gurung presents changes in the character’s life, changing times and social dimensions. Kaji’s statement that “the truth is hard to accept” signals a big change within him.

It appears Kaji’s priorities are now directed toward entrepreneurship and earning money rather than love and family. Director Gurung has also kept the original elements of the “Kabaddi” series for loyal audiences. The new instalment again includes Soltini, trouble with the new guest and romantic episodes.

In the new instalment, Kaji must fight with his own experiences, his family’s expectations, the struggle of opening a hotel, the due date of an outstanding loan and many other aspects and characters. These elements may be what make “Kabaddi” what it is. Debut girl Sirjana Gurung, Bipin Karki, who debuts in the series, Maotse Gurung, Puskar Gurung and others are the film’s attractions.

The “Kabaddi” series, and Ramabu’s contribution within it, has helped link the stories of indigenous communities with the mainstream in domestic film. Much more can be said after watching the film, but for “Kabaddi” audiences it will not be just a two-hour film. It also depicts changes to daily life brought to Thakkhola by climate change over the past decade, and the challenges for the characters’ daily lives after a motor road reached Thakkhola, once busy with mules and horses.

“Kabaddi 5” is produced under the banner of Basuri Films. Along with Ramabu, Maniram Pokharel, Madhu Mijar and Bishal Gurung (LG) are producers of the film. Viewers will also see characters from earlier instalments, Maiyan (Rishma Gurung) and Shanti Miss (Miruna Magar). “Kabaddi 5” will be released on Kartik 6 (October 23).