Nepali cinema is stepping into uncharted territory with ‘Eklo I’, the country’s first full-length science fiction feature, set to reach audiences early next year. Starring Jamie Bacon and Pradeep Khadka, the film has secured distribution in Nepal as well as select international markets.
Apple Entertainment has acquired the rights to release the film in Nepal on January 1, followed by a limited theatrical run in the US and the UK from January 9. Ahead of its commercial release, Eklo I will have its world premiere on December 28 at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York.
The film pairs British actor Jamie Bacon, recently seen in Mr Loverman and Dreamers, with one of Nepal’s most recognisable screen stars, Pradeep Khadka, known for box-office hits such as ‘Kabaddi 4’, ‘Prem Geet 3’ and ‘Prakash’. Bacon is also set to appear in an upcoming NFL-themed drama series for Hulu created by Dan Fogelman.
Directed by Pradeep Shahi, Eklo I marks a major milestone for Nepal’s film industry, both in genre and scale. The production was shot at extreme altitudes in the Himalayas, reaching heights of up to 5,400 metres, just below Everest Base Camp, and capturing areas of the mountain range rarely seen on film.
Set in the year 2090, following a devastating global pandemic in 2030, the story follows a group of astronauts who return to Earth to find a single survivor and enigmatic guardians hidden within Himalayan caves. The title Eklo means “alone” in Nepali.
Reflecting on the experience, Bacon described the shoot as physically demanding and creatively unique. He praised the Nepali crew for delivering the project under challenging conditions, calling the achievement extraordinary.
The supporting cast includes Kabita Nepali and Vijay Lama, known internationally for his role in Everest. According to Shahi, the film blends Western science fiction influences with Nepali narrative traditions.
