Kija Puja

About the Film

The film opens with the vibrant celebration of Kija Puja, a festive occasion where siblings come together to strengthen their bonds.

As the family(brother, sister, mother, maternal uncle) engages in the joyous Bhai-Tika ceremony, the father, portrayed as a troubled soul, is left feeling excluded after not receiving an invitation from his sister.

When the son receives a call during the celebration and hands it over to his drunk father, it becomes a catalyst for the father's suppressed emotions to erupt. Fueled by resentment and hurt, he confronts his sister, expressing his frustration at not being invited on time for the Kija Puja celebration. This confrontation sets off a chain reaction, leading the father to drown his sorrows in alcohol and causing an enormous scene at home.

The son, a silent observer throughout, witnesses the unraveling of his family's dynamics. The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense as the father's emotional turmoil reaches its peak, manifesting in a poignant breakdown where he cries out loud, shattering the façade of a joyful day. The family members, now deeply concerned about his well-being, confront their own roles in his suffering.

Director Biography - Sanish Maharjan

SANISH MAHARJAN is a young film enthusiast from Lalitpur, Nepal, born on August 14th, 2000. He completed his schooling at Bal Deeksha Sadan in 2016 and graduated high school from United Academy in 2019. Currently, in his fourth year, he is pursuing his passion for storytelling by studying direction and screenwriting at Oscar International College.

In 2024, Sanish wrote and directed his first short film, "Kija Puja." He followed this with two more short films, "Vairagya" and "Shadows of the Past," further establishing himself as an emerging filmmaker with a distinct voice. Sanish is passionate about exploring different themes and perspectives in his work and hopes to continue growing as a filmmaker and writer in the future.

Outside of his filmmaking pursuits, Sanish keeps himself busy with intense chess matches and embarks on journeys to new and unexplored places. As he continues to evolve as a filmmaker and writer, he remains committed to bringing thought-provoking stories to the screen and leaving a lasting impact on the world of cinema.

Director Statement

In crafting this film, I draw upon a deeply personal experience that left me feeling profoundly helpless. The recurrence of unspoken tensions within my family following arguments has lingered in my subconscious, shaping my reluctance to engage in festive celebrations. Through this narrative, I aim to delve into the intricate dynamics of familial relationships and explore how the actions of a single individual can cast a pervasive shadow on the shared experience of living together.

The story unfolds during Tihar, the festival of lights, traditionally a time of joy and togetherness. However, the narrative takes a poignant turn as a single person's actions unravel the celebratory atmosphere, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved. My decision to adopt a 'limited perspective' stems from a desire to convey the clarity of my own experiences and emotions during those critical moments. By doing so, I hope to provide an authentic portrayal of the helplessness I felt.

The question 'Why me?' becomes a recurring motif, echoing my own introspective journey. By sharing this personal narrative, I seek to offer a relatable and empathetic portrayal of the impact of unresolved conflicts within a family unit. The ultimate goal is to prompt viewers to reflect on their own experiences and consider the transformative potential of addressing and understanding the consequences of individual actions within familial contexts