Kathmandu — The trailer of Roll No. 1 has been released, and it makes its social argument clearly and with considerable emotional force. Through the story of a father's dream and a son's struggle, the film confronts one of Nepal's most persistent educational injustices: a system that rewards only the student who finishes first, and leaves the rest — particularly the poor — feeling invisible and inadequate.
The trailer centers on a father who desperately wants his son to study hard and bring honor to the village. But the son's interest lies elsewhere, and the gap between parental expectation and a child's actual nature is handled with sensitivity rather than judgment. The film also highlights how poverty directly prevents deserving students from accessing scholarships — a systemic failure that the story treats with anger and compassion in equal measure.
The rote-learning culture, the social obsession with academic rankings, and the psychological toll all of this takes on children are woven through the trailer's visual narrative, told through the perspective of both a father and his son.
Directed by John Yonjhan with story by Mahesh Dawadi, the film stars Mukun Bhusal, Sushank Mainali, Renu Yogi, and Sirjana Adhikari in lead roles, with child actors Nirbhik Regmi, Rinchen Lama, Sanyam Katuwal, and Sijal Shrestha. Produced by Vinod Paudel and Janvi Paudel under Seven Seas Cinema, with music by Prashant Shiwakoti, background score by Rohit Shakya, DOP Shivaram Shrestha, and editing by Madan Ghimire. Distribution is by Rich Entertainment and JM Cinema, both in Nepal and internationally.
Roll No. 1 releases on Jestha 15.