‘36 Ko Aankada’: Puspa Khadka’s Comeback Film Faces Questions Over Weak Storyline

The official teaser of Nepali film 36 Ko Aankada has sparked conversations among movie audiences, but the initial impression has not been entirely encouraging. The film, which has been highlighted as the comeback project of actor Puspa Khadka, appears to struggle with one important element: its story. Directed by Shabir Shrestha, 36 Ko Aankada features an ensemble cast including Niruta Singh, Rekha Thapa, Pooja Sharma, Mahesh Tripathi, Puspa Khadka, Subarna Thapa and Ramesh Chand Sidari. Actress Nisha Adhikari also makes a guest appearance. Despite bringing together several familiar faces of Nepali cinema, the teaser gives the impression of a rather conventional commercial film. More importantly, the narrative presented in the teaser appears weak and lacks the freshness that audiences might expect from a film carrying such a notable cast. Puspa Khadka's involvement has been a significant talking point, particularly with the film being presented as his comeback project. However, the teaser has yet to establish a compelling reason for audiences to become excited about his return. For a project carrying the expectations of a comeback, a stronger storyline and more engaging character presentation could have made a considerably better first impression. The film also appears to revisit the familiar style of older Nepali commercial action and family dramas, particularly reminiscent of Rekha Thapa's earlier films. While nostalgia can certainly attract a section of audiences, relying heavily on a familiar formula without offering something distinctive could become a challenge. Produced by Saraswati Thapa, Durga Sapkota and Gita Shrestha under Rekha Films and Kites Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., the film is scheduled to release nationwide on December 3, 2026 (Mangsir 17, 2083). Whether the complete film can overcome the concerns raised by its teaser and deliver a stronger cinematic experience remains to be seen. For now, the biggest question surrounding 36 Ko Aankada is whether its story can live up to the expectations created by its ensemble cast.