Kathmandu — The wait is nearly over for fans of actress and producer Priyanka Karki. The first look of Masterni has been officially unveiled, along with the announcement that it will release on Bhadra 12 — marking the feature film debut of Ayanka Films, the production banner she runs with actor Ayushman Joshi.
The film has already completed its entire shoot — accomplished in just 17 days across locations in Kathmandu and Pokhara — a remarkably compact production schedule that speaks to the team's focus and efficiency.
Masterni is a crime thriller murder mystery, a genre that is gaining steady ground in Nepali cinema, and one that is expected to showcase Priyanka in a role distinctly different from what audiences have come to expect from her. The story is conceived by Priyanka Karki herself, with the script written by Shan Basnet, and the screenplay and dialogues co-developed by Priyanka and Shan together.
The film is directed by Indian filmmaker Suvendhu Ghosh, and produced by Priyanka Karki, Ayushman Joshi, Cabinet Shrestha, and Pranit Karki, with Suraksha Singh Malhotra serving as executive producer.
The cast is strong and intriguing: Priyanka Karki, Saroj Khanal, Pramod Agrahari, Aryan Sigdel, Anup Bikram Shahi, Gauri Malla, Simran Khadka, Raksha Thapa, Bishal Pahari, and Dinesh Kafle, among others. The production team has also teased that audiences will encounter several surprise appearances within the film.